Roki Sasaki, the path seen 10 years after 3/12, when anxiety increased – Professional Baseball: Nikkan Sports

Pitcher Roki Sasaki (19) pitched “3/12” for the first time in actual game. It was a coincidence, but it will be an unforgettable day. As much as “3/12” 10 years ago.

I was in the third grade of elementary school. We welcomed the morning of March 12 with our brother and brother. A large earthquake on the afternoon of the 11th. Iwate and Rikuzentakata were caught in a large tsunami. The house and the park where he used to play. I desperately ran up the hill and escaped to the hill in the cold with light snow. There were many people in the nursing home who rushed inside. There are no parents or grandparents. The water that covers the town has not yet been drained.

I have little to eat. I was able to meet my mother Yoko again around 9 am on the 12th. Yoko was in Ofunato for work on the 11th. I couldn’t move due to the flood. Anxiety grows. Departure by car at 5 am. The main road was impassable, and it usually returned to Rikuzentakata, which took less than 30 minutes, in three and a half hours. However, although the four of them sought another refuge, they had no father or grandparents. Exhausted, I drove to a relative’s house in Ofunato. After a while, I met my father and my grandmother sadly. They haven’t found my grandfather yet.

I moved to Ofunato in April. “Since I went to school, it has been around April … I think I changed, or maybe I could do it like always.” The temporary housing was in the courtyard of the elementary school. Even in my sadness, I grew up crazy about baseball with my new friends. “I’m glad I had baseball and I’m glad I’m playing baseball,” he recalls.

It’s been ten years since I couldn’t see ten years from now. The path for the next 10 years is clearly visible. He talked about Ishigaki Island in the beautiful sea. “Above all, I want to grow as a person. When I get better at baseball, I want to be 10 years later, when I feel like I’ve grown as a person.” March 12 is the beginning of a great future.[Mahito Kaneko]