The long-awaited Koshien Tournament for three years, finally took place!

The "Take Back That Summer" project aims to reclaim the Koshien Tournament at the summer in 2020,
which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The "Take Back That Summer - former high school baseball players in 2020-2023-" organized by project members, was held from November 29th (Wednesday) to December 1st (Friday) at the Hanshin Koshien Stadium and other stadiums in Hyogo Prefecture, with free broadcasting and distributing on SKYPerfecTV！.

This initiative was one of the efforts related to 2 of 9 materiality themes identified by the SKY Perfect JSAT Group, "Improving the Richness of Life Through a Diversity of Content" and " Regional and Community Development."

We aimed to broadcast and distribute for free, as young people who had their dreams of standing on the Koshien stage took action to hold the main tournament at Koshien. We believe that this not only benefited them but also contributed to enriching the lives of the viewers. Furthermore, in addition to broadcasting and distributing, we collaborated with companies that empathized with this initiative and provided various support.

And this time, we had the opportunity to hear from Yuto Otake, the initiator of the "Take Back That Summer Project" (formerly of Josai High School Baseball Club, Musashino University), about his thoughts on the tournament and the feelings he had upon completing the project.

Thoughts on the tournament and completing the project.

―――What is the "Take Back That Summer" project to you, Mr. Otake?

" The project is aimed at putting an end and moving forward to the next step. We aim to put an end to the feelings about that summer, which was canceled for the first time since the war, by reclaiming it with the players' own hands and stepping on the sacred soil of Koshien. We hope it becomes the best opportunity to experience about Koshien, such as the feeling of stepping on the soil with spikes, the smell of the sea breeze, and the view of the Alps stand from there. And showing the 'backs' of the players standing at the Koshien Stadium to everyone who has supported them so far (family members, dorm mothers, coaches, etc.) will be a rewarding day of a fresh start. I also think it will be the best day for the players to express their gratitude."

―――What was the most challenging aspect of the operation?

"The communication with the players. We communicated with the players online, but I wasn't sure if our feelings were getting across, so I went to meet the players by camping car and hitchhiking."

―――Many former professional baseball players also supported the project. Could you share a memorable episode?

"It's a quote from Daisuke Araki: 'Koshien is everything to a baseball boy.' He said that There’s a monster lurks in Koshien, but there is also a master of baseball. There is a monster, but there is also a master who helps you grow. It was very impressive."

―――Now that the tournament is over, please share your thoughts.

"I felt that it was good to fight without running away from difficulties and to finish it."

―――During the tournament, what was the most memorable scene, and why was it chosen?

"It was when 700 players lined up in front of me during the entrance parade on the first day of the tournament at Koshien Stadium. I felt that we had spent all our efforts to create these smiles for these people."

―――What kind of project did "Take Back That Summer" become for you?

" I think it became an opportunity for the generation of 'That Summer' to move forward, and it made me realize that many people supported it. From now on, I think it will be a tournament for a generation with the will to change the future, hoping for the uncertain tomorrow and supporting each other."

―――Please tell us about your future dreams.

" Starting with this project, I have received a lot of kindness from many seniors. When I become someone who can give advice to others, I want to repay the kindness I received from my seniors to my juniors. I think any means to do that is fine. "

We learned about this project around May this year and went to Musashino University to hear from Mr. Otake and the members of the operation team. There, we strongly empathized with their clear "goals" and "feelings," and after internal adjustments, we were able to broadcast and distribute for free on SKYPerfecTV！. On the day of the tournament, the players and their families were full of smiles, and many thanks for the free broadcasting and distributinf were posted on social media with "Thank you, SKYPerfecTV！". We strongly feel the significance of being able to convey their efforts to 'regain what was lost and create opportunities to move forward' through this initiative.

The proceedings of the day are available for catch-up distributing on the SKYPerfecTV！ official website. Please take a look!

Related Links:

"Take Back That Summer" Project | Sky PerfecTV! Pro Baseball Broadcasting & Distributing (skyperfectv.co.jp)（only in Japanese）