Martial artist breaks 10 concrete blocks with her head before throwing first pitch in Japan
By David Brown
July 28, 2014 6:17 PM
Big League Stew
The entire ceremonial first pitch "thing" has been over in North America for a long time, perhaps right after President Taft first made it popular 100 years ago. But in Japan, they've got ideas to make it better.
Take the actions of martial artist Rina Takeda, whom The Big Lead describes as the "23-year-old star of such films as 'High Kick Girl!,' 'Karate Girl' and 'Dead Sushi.' " She threw out the first pitch \before the "Sonny" Chiba Lotte Marines and Seibu Lions played Sunday, and her pitch was pretty good:
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Interesting for all of the mascot umpires behind home plate, and for her Dice-K-like hesitation before delivering. She almost made it 60 feet, 6 inches, too. Pretty good for someone with, presumably, not much overhand pitching experience. Throws across her body too much; Tommy John risk. Anyway. THAT's not the best part of her pregame presentation. As the video at the top also shows, it was this:
She rubs her head, too, probably because that hurt a lot. The part where the camera pulls in for a close up, an homage to Asian martial arts cinema — awesome touch. If only the major leagues put on a show like this, the first pitch might become relevant again.
Rina Takeda, ladies and gentlemen!