Representative Alcantara of the Dominican Republic … interacts with Kiyomiya and others before the game against Japan
It’s been a frustrating two years, but I hope to be able to play in Japan again. On the 18th, infielder Arizmendi Alcántara, who played for Nippon-Ham until last season, took part in the match against the Japanese National Football Team “Samurai Japan” as a representative of the Dominican Republic at “Ragzas Presents 3rd WBSC Premier 12”. Before the game, he was interacting with his former teammate, infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya (Nippon Ham) and others, smiling and saying, “It was a very exciting time. it was.”
Amidst the light rain, Kiyomiya, Isoman, Kitayama and others were conversing with Nippon Ham-nine. Alcantara hit two home runs in one game against South Korea on the 16th. “Koutarou told me, ‘Give me your power, give me your power,'” he said with a happy smile. Although he was playing in the Mexican League this season, he was happy and said, “I was happy see him again.”
Alcantara signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in the 2008 offseason when he was 18 years old. In 2014, he hit 10 home runs in the majors, but after that he moved around to the minor leagues and the Mexican League. I decided to go to Japan in 2021, when I reached the milestone age of 30. “I wanted to try something new. I heard that Japanese culture is really good. People are very polite, and baseball is different.” He signed a contract with Nippon-Ham.
In Japan, he played in 138 games over two years and struggled with a .207 batting average. He hit 14 home runs in his first year, but his batting average was sluggish at .209. The following year, he was unable to cope, with 4 home runs, 10 RBIs, and a .204 batting average, and was released as a free agent during the off-season. “It’s hard to say, but…Japanese football doesn’t make many mistakes, it’s aggressive and consistent. It’s very difficult and we had to focus more on playing than in other countries. ” I left Japan with regret.
Although he did not achieve the results he expected at Nippon-Ham, it was a good experience for Alcantara himself. “My teammates told me that this was good and that I should enjoy this. My favorite memory is April 24, 2022, when I hit a home run in left and right at bats against Softbank. “That was a good memory,” he still remembers.
He also enjoyed Japanese food such as sushi, yakiniku, and ramen, and he became familiar with the culture. “I couldn’t go to many places, but my days in Japan were special,” she said gratefully. “This is a business, but if I have a chance, I would like to return to Japan. In this tournament, he showed his presence with a batting average of .417, two home runs, and a slugging percentage of .917. I look forward to the day I can play again.
(Kodai Kawamura)
2024-11-18 22:20:00
#Leaving #team #years.. #aims #return #NPB #chance #Hams #assistant #expresses #love #Japan
How did Alcántara and Kiyomiya support each other during their time as teammates in Japan, especially when facing challenges in their game?
Guest 1: Infielder Arizmendi Alcántara of the Dominican Republic National Baseball Team and former Nippon-Ham Fighter, currently playing in the Mexican League.
Guest 2: Infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya of the Nippon-Ham Fighters and former teammate of Alcántara.
Interviewer: Today we have two distinguished guests with us, both having played baseball professionally in Japan. Let’s begin by discussing your experiences playing in Japan and how it has shaped your career.
Guest 1: Well, Japan has always been a dream destination for me as a baseball player. The level of competition and the culture surrounding the sport are truly unique. Playing for Nippon-Ham was an amazing experience, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.
Guest 2: Definitely, Japanese baseball is different from other countries. The game is more focused on teamwork and fundamentals. It’s challenging, but it pushes you to be the best player you can be. I think that’s why we saw such great success as a team during our time together.
Interviewer: Obviously, the results didn’t always go as planned for Alcántara, who struggled with his batting average. Do you think he faced any particular challenges adapting to the style of play here in Japan?
Guest 1: It’s not easy coming to a new country where everything is different - from the language to the playing style. It takes time to adjust, and I think Alcántara did the best he could under those circumstances. However, he did express during our conversation that he wished he could have performed better.
Guest 2: I remember when Alcántara first arrived, he was really determined to learn Japanese and fit in with the team. He was a hard worker and always tried his best. Unfortunately, the results didn’t always match his efforts. That’s just part of the game, and he knows that now.
Interviewer: We can’t talk about Japan without mentioning food! Which was your favorite dish while living in Japan?
Guest 1: Oh man, there are so many delicious foods to choose from. But I have to say, yakiniku was my go-to dish.
