In professional baseball, talent is undoubtedly the starting point for any athlete, but it is the intentional practice that ultimately determines personal achievements and the distances one can reach. The story of Takuya Wada, the legendary left-handed pitcher of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, proves that even ordinary individuals can surpass seemingly gifted players through purposeful training and a humble mindset.
Wang Tianyi describes himself as just an ordinary baseball kid. Although he lacks astounding physique or innate talent, he gradually began to shine during the golden era of the Matsuzaka generation and has stood strong in professional baseball for over twenty years, achieving accomplishments that leave the world in awe. His story is not just the legend of a sports star, but a journey about how to bridge the gap between oneself and genius through thought and hard work.
Kazuhiro Wada’s baseball career began in the first grade of elementary school, heavily influenced by his father, which led him to step onto the field at a young age. During high school, he became the ace pitcher for Hamada High School in Shimane Prefecture, showcasing remarkable talent in the summer Koshien, leading his team to the national top eight consecutively. Yet, this achievement was just the beginning for Wada. His encounters with stars like Daisuke Matsuzaka and Toshiya Sugiuchi at Koshien gave him a stark realization of his own shortcomings, and this self-awareness ignited his drive for improvement.
During his time at Waseda University, Takuya Watanabe set a small goal for himself, hoping to debut in the Keio-Waseda match. Everything changed with a word of encouragement from his student coach, Yoshihide Tsuchihashi, who recognized Watanabe’s potential and suggested he adjust his pitching form, predicting that his fastball could surpass 140 kilometers per hour. Despite only reaching speeds of 127-128 kilometers at that point, Watanabe bravely accepted the challenge. Two months later, he indeed broke the 140-kilometer mark, opening new doors for his professional career.
Despite the ups and downs in Watanabe’s career—from the glories of being a rookie to struggles in the majors, and then facing injuries and lengthy rehabilitation—each challenge has forged his resilient spirit. The setbacks he faced were countless, yet through unwavering determination and insight, Watanabe emerged stronger every time he returned to the pitcher’s mound.
