[Koshien 2026] Ryunosuke Tsuji of Rissho-sha: “I’m Happy to Be on the Same Stage as My Dad” — Aiming to Become a Third-Generation Pro

The “Super High School-Level Player” Setting Midsummer Koshien Ablaze: Ryunosuke Tsuji [Riseisha]

The 108th National High School Baseball Championship (Summer Koshien) has finally kicked off. Among the many upsets in this year’s regional tournaments, one of the biggest surprises was the fourth-round elimination of Osaka Toin, the reigning national champion from the spring tournament.

In their place, Rishosha emerged victorious from the highly competitive Osaka region. Their captain is Ryunosuke Tsuji, a third baseman whose grandfather and father are both former professional baseball players.

“My father (Ryutaro, a former Orix player and current chief coach of the Saitama Seibu Lions’ farm team) was one of the players who excelled at Koshien. I’m happy to finally be standing on the same stage.”

Tsuji’s strength lies in his ability to hit the ball hard to the opposite field. To anyone facing him, it’s clear that he has been working hard to build a physique with his sights set on the pros.

“The part of my body I’m most proud of is my latissimus dorsi—I’m actually quite confident in it. It contributes to my swing speed, which is my strength, and I’m certain that has a positive effect on the speed of my batted balls, leading to more hits. This physique is all thanks to my mom’s cooking. I’m not usually a big eater, but my mom’s food—especially her hamburger steaks—is so delicious that it really whets my appetite.”

He is expected to become the first player in history to have three generations of professional baseball players in his family.

“I’ve never felt that as a burden. My grandfather (Tetsuya, who played outfield for the Chunichi Dragons) passed away two summers ago, but I told him I’d play in the Koshien Tournament and become a professional baseball player just like him—that’s how I said my goodbyes. I’m determined to make that happen.”

The designated hitter (DH) rule was adopted this spring, and video review will be introduced this summer. Will the champion of this new era emerge from among the “Big Four”?

From the August 21 & 28, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*