Meishu Gakuen Hitachi: Aiming for the top of the Senbatsu with the first female vice captain in its history

Meishu Gakuen Hitachi High School (Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture) won the Kanto Tournament last fall and is sure to participate in the Senbatsu (the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament). The school’s top-class hitting is its main selling point, but that is not the only secret to Meishu’s strength. The team’s unity is strengthened by Anri Tanaka, 17, a sophomore who is the first female vice captain in the school’s history. She is the first female vice-captain in the school’s history,” said school coach Shigemoto Kanazawa.

She follows up well on the players who are upset with me or the coach. She’s the only girl in the 73-member club, so I know it’s tough, but she’s always positive. She is a big part of the team.

Meishu had never had a female manager before, but Anri wrote a letter to the coach before the entrance exam to show her enthusiasm. She passed the exam with flying colors and became the first female member of the team. When she was in elementary school, Anri played on a baseball team in her hometown of Miyagi Prefecture, where she became acquainted with coach Kanazawa, and developed a passion for the Meishu baseball team. Anri says with a smile.

My job is to maintain the field, serve drinks, and make it easy for the team members to move around. I like to support the team, so it’s not hard at all.

She plans to be on the bench as a recorder for the Senbatsu tournament. As an experienced baseball player himself, he sometimes analyzes the opposing team and gives advice to the players.

In fact, I’ve never been to Koshien before. I’m really happy to be able to watch Meishu play baseball in the place I’ve always dreamed of.

Together with Anri, Meishu is aiming for the top.

From the February 11, 2022 issue of FRIDAY