Almost everyone has “pitching experience”!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen and aspiring pitchers across the globe! Today, we dive into the fascinating world of the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. A club with a proud 53-year history and a membership that has ballooned from a few dozen to a whopping 51—because what could scream “I love baseball” louder than three times the players in such a short time? Absolutely bonkers! They’ve even got more kids than your average primary school class sharing crayon colors!
Now imagine this: kids in the fourth grade and younger, learning the secrets of throwing a ball. And here I am, still can’t throw a piece of toast to my mates properly.
Led by Coach Yusuke Kameura, these youngsters are learning the fine art of throwing from a surprisingly sophisticated perspective. “Pitchers are almost essential,” says Kameura—but let’s be honest, isn’t that true for all of us? Especially during family gatherings, when dodging those awkward conversations becomes an Olympic sport!
Now, the key tip from Coach Kameura is all about “switching shoulders.” He breaks it down like you’ve just stepped into a Star Wars training montage—less Yoda, more “look over there and throw the ball this way.” Centering on that axis, the kids are flipping their shoulders quicker than a politician changes their mind when questioned. The result? Improved ball control! We should all take a page from that handbook. Imagine if we could just switch our “shoulder” depending on who we’re speaking to—life would be a walk in the park! Or, you know, a game of catch.
But in true coach fashion, the Kameura method emphasizes concise instructions tailored for today’s youth. Because let’s face it, *some* kids couldn’t find their left from their right even with a map and a personal assistant! Who are we to judge? He draws straight lines with lime (not the fruit, the powder—legal disclaimer!) to guide them in throwing direction. “Follow the line straight!” he barks—a command simpler than trying to explain why pineapple belongs on pizza (or doesn’t, depending on your stance).
The magical increase in games played—five times better!
And you’d think, with 51 kids running around, it must be chaos. Oh no! Thanks to Kameura’s genius, they’ve ramped up gameplay opportunities fivefold! From once a season to over 30 games a year for the youngsters. Let’s just say, they’re playing more baseball than I played video games last week—sorry, Mom!
With an increase in club members, how does one ensure everyone plays? Simple! Just double the fun and triple the practice sessions! I see you, Kameura!
Kameura confidently states, “Games help you learn baseball better than practice.” You hear that, parents? Your kids are going to baseball games instead of sitting through boring math drills! Genius! A three-hundred and sixty-degree flip on traditional thinking!
So, let’s hand it to the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club. While other teams may teach kids to sit and listen, they’ve got them throwing, running, and learning the joys of baseball — all while keeping it fun and, dare I say, a bit cheeky. Because every future MLB star, or at the very least, a kid who can throw a ball straight, deserves to relish every moment.
If you want to know even more about the latest in helping your kids navigate the world of youth baseball, be sure to visit First-Pitch. Because who wouldn’t want insider knowledge on helpful coaching methods while watching the kids live the dream of home runs and epic slides into home plate?
Almost everyone has “pitching experience”… Sendai City Shichigo Youth Baseball Club’s innovative approach to pitching instruction
The Shichigo Youth Baseball Club, a renowned youth baseball team based in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, boasts an impressive legacy spanning 53 years. Currently, the club has surged to 51 active members, nearly tripling its size in just two years. Among this growing roster, about 40 players belong to the ‘nurturing/kids’ category, encompassing those in the fourth grade of elementary school or younger. Under the guidance of Coach Yusuke Kameura, every player is given equal chances to shine during games, rotating through various positions to foster a well-rounded skillset that will benefit them in the future. Notably, pitching has emerged as a vital role within the team. We sat down with Coach Kameura to explore his philosophies on training young pitchers.
“The joy of playing baseball and mastering its foundational skills can be found in the pitcher’s role,” Kameura asserts. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of the pitcher’s movements with those of other playing positions. Pitching is not just a physical challenge; it also builds mental resilience as players learn to navigate and overcome various game-day situations independently.
While Kameura highlights the importance of pitching experience, he acknowledges the challenges younger players face when learning to throw accurately into the strike zone. To tackle this, the coaching emphasis lies on teaching students the concept of ‘switching shoulders’ as they throw. At the core of this technique is the ability to balance one’s body around its axis, enabling a quick transition between the back shoulder—where the ball is held—and the front shoulder that supports the glove. Coach Kameura’s experience observing pitching instruction at a team in the Kinki region left him astounded by the advanced pitching capabilities of younger players. Inspired, he brought back valuable instructional strategies to enhance his own coaching methodology. The ability to effectively transition between shoulders is believed to significantly improve control, and as this switch becomes faster, the pitch speed also increases.
To simplify this concept for younger players, Coach Kameura employs a visual method during catch practice. He uses lime to draw a straight line on the ground toward the intended target. Before players throw, they extend their arms parallel to this line and receive straightforward commands like, “Follow the line straight.” Kameura elaborates on this approach, explaining, “Some children find it hard to grasp left and right distinctions, while others struggle with focus for longer than a minute. Instead of overwhelming them with information to memorize, we demonstrate the motions.” He adds, “I strive to communicate in succinct terms.”
The number of games played per year has increased fivefold, securing ample participation for all
Once players demonstrate basic catching skills between the bases, they are given opportunities to pitch during “development” games. This season, 14 students from the fourth grade and below had the chance to experience pitching from the mound, marking significant player engagement.
Interestingly, while an increase in club membership might typically hinder playing opportunities for individuals, the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club has countered this challenge. Under Coach Kameura’s leadership, the number of yearly games has soared more than fivefold. This increase became particularly notable for younger players, coinciding with Kameura’s tenure as coach.
Previously lacking a dedicated coach for training younger age groups, the club focused primarily on older players, leaving lower grade students with only limited tournament participation—often just once a season. However, since January 2022, when Kameura began his exclusive coaching role, he has reinforced the belief that “games enhance the learning of baseball more effectively than practice.” As a result, younger players now enjoy at least 30 “development” games each year, while those in kindergarten can partake in over 50 games annually. Remarkably, third-year players sometimes leap into “development” games, while fourth-year players join “rookie” games designated for those fifth grade and younger.
“We practice with games in mind. Participating in games allows us to gauge improvement. When children have opportunities to engage with the ball and swing the bat, it ignites greater excitement,” states Coach Kameura. This focus on creating meaningful experiences is crucial, especially with such a large membership. Enabling early-grade players to gain practical experience is part of the club’s commitment to “creating an environment where young athletes can continue enjoying baseball.”
(Kotaro Kawanami)
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What are some key strategies that Coach Yusuke Kameura implements to ensure every child at the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club gets equal playtime?
**Interview with Coach Yusuke Kameura of the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club**
*Interviewer:* Welcome, Coach Kameura! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Your club has seen remarkable growth recently, tripling in size. What do you think is driving such interest in the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club?
*Coach Kameura:* Thank you for having me! I believe the combination of our engaging coaching style and the joy of playing baseball has attracted many kids. We strive to create a fun, nurturing environment where every child gets the opportunity to participate and grow.
*Interviewer:* That sounds fantastic! You’ve mentioned before that pitching is crucial for young players. Why do you think that is?
*Coach Kameura:* Pitching is the backbone of any baseball game. It’s where many of the fundamentals come together. Learning to pitch helps kids develop not just physical skills but also mental resilience. They learn to navigate game situations independently, which is really empowering.
*Interviewer:* Your unique approach including the “switching shoulders” technique has caught a lot of attention. Can you explain that a bit more?
*Coach Kameura:* Sure! By switching shoulders, we teach kids to balance their bodies around a central axis, which significantly improves their throwing accuracy. I draw a line on the ground to guide them—this visual method helps them understand direction without getting overwhelmed by verbal instructions.
*Interviewer:* That’s an effective strategy! With the rise in club membership, how do you manage to ensure all kids are getting playtime, especially with such an increase in games?
*Coach Kameura:* It’s all about creativity and structure. Instead of limiting games to a few, we’ve expanded our schedule to over 30 games a year! We rotate positions regularly to give every player a chance to pitch and contribute. This way, everyone enjoys the game and gains valuable experience.
*Interviewer:* You’ve really flipped the traditional coaching script on its head! What do you hope these kids take away from their time with the club?
*Coach Kameura:* I hope they leave with a love for the game, developed skills, and wonderful memories. More importantly, I want them to learn teamwork, resilience, and the joy of sports. If they can master that and have fun while doing it, I’d say we’ve succeeded!
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Coach Kameura! Your passion and innovative approaches are inspiring. We can’t wait to see more from the Shichigo Youth Baseball Club!
*Coach Kameura:* Thank you! And remember, every moment on the field is a chance to learn and enjoy the game!