Eri Yoshida

  • Kobe 9 Cruise (2008-2009)
  • Chico Outlaws (since 2010)

Eri Yoshida (Japanese吉田 えり, Eri Yoshida, * January 17, 1992 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan ) is a Japanese baseball player. She was the first woman to be drafted by a Japanese professional team. In addition, it is one of the few pitchers who specializes in Knuckleballs. Currently Yoshida is with the Chico Outlaws, a vendor independent of the MLB Minor League team under contract. Her nickname is Knuckle Hime (ナックル 姫, Nakkuru hime, " Knuckle Princess" ).

Kobe 9 Cruise (2008-2009)

At the age of 16 years Eri Yoshida was drafted in 2008 by the Kobe 9 Cruise, a team from the Kansai Independent Baseball League, the first woman in Japanese professional baseball. Yoshihiro Nakata, manager of the 9 Cruise justified this step especially with their excellent side- Armed knuckler that made her stand out from the crowd. Yoshida started by his own admission to practice this litter after they watched MLB Pitcher Tim Wakefield, who is considered the best knuckleball pitchers of the past 20 years with his pitches.

Your professional debut Yoshida on 26 March 2009 at the Osaka Dome in Osaka before 11,592 spectators, where they pitched during two generic at-bats. The first batter came after four balls in series by a walk on base, the second Yoshida made ​​out with a strikeout.

Chico Outlaws (since 2010)

Eri Yoshida has signed on 8 April 2010 a contract with the Chico Outlaws, a team in the Golden Baseball League, which is located in Chico, California. Thus she became the first active woman doing a U.S. professional team since the resignation of Ila Borders in 2000. Moreover Yoshida is the first woman ever to have played baseball professionally in two different nations. Her debut at the Outlaws denied Yoshida 27 July of the year. Previously, she had the opportunity with her ​​idol, Tim Wakefield to train together in spring training at the training ground of the Boston Red Sox.

Your first season in Chico was a difficult one. After a total of eight starts she has experienced no win and ended the season with an ERA of 12:28 at 4 Losses. As a result, it was deleted for the playoffs out of the squad.

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