Kenji Yashio, President of Hanshin Professional Baseball, held a meeting at the baseball team’s office in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo on the 9th, and took responsibility for a series of riots, such as several players becoming infected with the new virus crown in late September. He announced his intention to resign this fall.

At the beginning of the meeting, Chairman Yang Shio said, “This time, I had to replace 10 players to fight due to Corona’s disease, which caused great concern and inconvenience to all fans. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to the NPB, the opposing team, the health center and other related organizations. “

He continued: “I can’t deny the fact that I caused trouble for everyone on the ball twice this time after March. I am the top person in charge of the team that has caused a lot of confusion since I took office. At the end of this season , I asked the owner (Fujiwara) to resign as president, and I received his consent. “

Also, “I hope to get rid of the confusion as soon as possible, and I will make that announcement today. Even though the team is in the middle of a fight, I hope they understand it as my own way of giving up.” Sorry. “

On September 25 in Hanshin, 5 players and 1 team from the Masumi Hamachi army (22) Kento Itohara Infielder (27) Naomasa Yokawa Infielder (29) Yuta Iwasada (29) Sasuke Baba (25) Announced infection out of a total of 7 people , 2 staff members. At the same time, Yu Iwasaki (29) and Ippei Ogawa (23) were recognized as close contacts by the public health center under their jurisdiction. The pitcher’s four players (27) were treated as close contacts by the team. After that, two more staff members were confirmed to be infected.

In consideration of the spread of the infection, the team allowed out to eat with team members and their families only on designated days during the expedition to Hiroshima and Nagoya. The number of people was limited to 4 people, it was limited to private rooms for about 2 hours, masks were required, and the same position was prohibited. However, on the 19th, which was the only designated day in September, Itohara and Fukudome, who had rented restaurants in Nagoya city, had a dinner with a total of eight people. It was considered an issue for the team to break internal team rules, and the team said it would deal strictly with the matter.

Also, in Hanshin, at the end of March the infection of 3 athletes was discovered, and at that time, dinner with a large number of people, including outsiders, was considered a problem, and in summer some athletes were declared an emergency in May. It was reported that he had been on an unnecessary excursion.

When asked if the spread of the corona infection in September was the reason for his resignation, President Yang Shio said, “I am not resigning just because I was infected with corona. Even if corona infection is prevented, there is still the risk. As I said, I am not going to mention each and every one of the various cases since I took office, but I am the last person in charge of the team, so I am the one who caused so much confusion. This time, I am in my position, but I will retire at the end of the season. “