WAKAYAMA -- Baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki recently spent three days back on the field, but instead of playing the game he donned a coach's cap.
For three days ending Friday, the 47-year-old former Seattle Mariner coached players from high-school power-house Chiben Wakayama for the first time since his retirement in March last year.
The superstar, who also played for the New York Yankees and Orix Blue Wave (now Orix Buffaloes), gave the high schoolers tips on getting a good jump while stealing a base. Ichiro also demonstrated his trademark swing during a batting session.
"I felt like I was in some sort of dream," said 18-year old Ryohei Hosokawa, who was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters this autumn.
Ichiro, who now serves as a special assistant and instructor for the Mariners, earned qualification in February to coach high-school and university players. He is allowed to coach during the off season.
Ichiro has a history with the school as he used to play baseball with the school's faculty, which helped pave the way for the superstar to return as a coach for the next generation of players.
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