A unique softball team full of former yakuza!

“If I can’t catch anything like this, I’ll jam my finger in!　I’ll choke you if I can’t catch you like this! I’ll sink you!

On a Sunday afternoon in late December 2009, the dusky Kansai dialect rang out.

The voice belonged to Yuji Ryuzaki, 71, the manager and ace of the ‘Ryuyukai,’ which belongs to the Katsushika Ward Softball Federation. Formed in 2012, the “Ryuyukai” won the league championship in 2005 with its strong hitting. They have become one of the strongest teams in the league. However, there is something else that makes them unique. It is a unique team full of “former yakuza” whose members have been imprisoned for a total of 128 years. Mr. Ryuzaki is a former leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and other members include former members of the Sumiyoshi-kai and Matsubakai groups.

On this day, the team was divided into two teams, one for the new members and the other for the veterans led by Mr. Ryuzaki.

They were basically wearing long-sleeved undershirts so that their tattoos would not be visible. “Don’t run like that! Don’t run like that! “Don’t run like that!

In the middle of the game, Mr. Ryuzaki asked the umpire about the decision, “What strike? The game turned into a slugfest. The game turned out to be a slugfest, with the veteran team eventually winning 16-11.

After the game was set, the atmosphere changed and all the members of the team went to work on the ground. “Don’t forget the trash! Mr. Ryuzaki called out, “Don’t forget the trash!” and the team members headed home before nightfall. Mr. Ryuzaki explains the reason for the formation of the club.

I started the club to do something for the ex-prisoners. Even if they could get a job, they would turn to drugs or theft when they had time off. We practice every Sunday and make sure they are exhausted so they can’t do anything bad. The only condition for joining the club is a letter of excommunication. As long as it is known that they have left the organization, a letter of insulation or a letter of expulsion is fine. We accept anyone who has the will to reform. Last year alone, we had 22 new members join our club. Now we have 53 members in total.

Mr. Tsuji (54), who joined the club last summer after serving 15 years in prison, describes the atmosphere of the team.

Practice is tough, but it’s fun. I dropped my little finger when I left the team, so I can’t grip the bat well, but Mr. Ryuzaki taught me how to grip it better. He is really kind. In order to become a regular, I go to the batting center at least once a week to practice in addition to club practice.

Today, the ex-yakuza are still chasing the white ball as they strive for rehabilitation.