Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

Japan pitching phenom Roki Sasaki showed amazing sportsmanship after hitting player with 101 mph pitch

Roki Sasaki Japan Baseball

In a few years, baseball fans everywhere are going to know the name Roki Sasaki. The 21-year-old pitching phenom from Japan wowed the baseball world last season when he nearly threw two consecutive perfect games in Japan’s NPB.

It turns out that his sportsmanship is also worth the big-league hype.

During Japan’s Pool B game against the Czech Republic at the World Baseball Classic, Sasaki hit the Czech Republic’s William Escala around the knee with a 101 mph fastball. Escala was understandably in some pain, but he remained in the game. That’s when we saw some amazing sportsmanship from Sasaki. On the field, Sasaki removed his cap and gestured to Escala to apologize.

And after the game, Sasaki made an effort to meet up with Escala and offer an extended apology, which included two giant gift bags.

While Sasaki has a bright big-league career ahead of him, the Czech team was comprised of mostly amateurs who work day jobs in the Czech Republic. They were huge underdogs in the World Baseball Classic, and Japan obviously didn’t want to see any of them get hurt. Sasaki knew that, and Escala (one of the few Czech players with even college baseball experience) clearly appreciated the gesture.

Fans also loved seeing that respect between the two teams.

This was how Twitter reacted

Baseball needs more players like Sasaki — all class.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Tom Hardy's Venom And Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man Crossover Teased.
Fan trailer 'Venom: The Last Dance' hints at a clash between Tom Hardy's Venom and Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man 3, sparking exc...
Top News
Top News
The Anxious Generation wants to save teens. But the bestseller’s anti-tech logic is skewed
There’s no doubt about the mental health crisis facing young people. Jonathan Haidt blames our devices – which oversimplifies the problem
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
How to play with Barbie dolls: 6 ways to use the iconic doll as a positive role model at home
If you have a little one who loves to play with Barbie, there are lots of positive ways in which you can encourage them to play in a way that helps their development and self-esteem. We’ll show you how.
GoodToKnow
GoodToKnow
7 Google Docs keyboard shortcuts to get more done in less time
Google Docs is a great free online word processor, and you can get a lot of productivity out of it once you know these keyboard shortcuts.
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Woman Misses Her Freckles So She Paints Them On, Gets Called Out For ‘Cultural Appropriation’
Cultural appropriation in beauty and fashion is nothing new. But today, it seems impossible that white models could walk a runway in dreadlocks, tribal and Native American dress, or geisha makeup and kimonos. Appropriation happens when consumers or companies use and manufacture products that either promote cultural stereotypes or take…
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
50 Texts Women Got From Men That Are A Crash Course In How Not To Communicate
For many of us, texting is a huge part of our lives. However, some messages can take an unexpected turn for the bizarre, hilarious, and even downright cringy. The post 50 Texts Women Got From Men That Are A Crash Course In How Not To Communicate first appeared on Bored…
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play