From Weeds to a Diamond

Saturday’s events would have been unfathomable for Pete Mitsui back in 1930, when he began playing baseball for the San Fernando Aces.

The Aces, one of the first Japanese American baseball teams in the country, played on a dusty infield and a weedy outfield in those days. And there certainly were no major leaguers from Japan.

Nearly seven decades later, Mitsui threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the dedication of a new adult-size baseball diamond on the grounds of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. Anaheim Angels pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who is from Japan, was also on hand.

While the day was exciting and the 84-year-old Mitsui was pleased, he was already thinking about the future.

“Maybe we’ll send a team from this field on to the Little League World Championship,” he said.

Hasegawa, who tossed the second pitch of the day to dedicate the facility built to major league specifications, said he was happy to make the drive from Anaheim even though the Angels were playing that night.

“I hope many major league players come up from this field,” said Hasegawa, who brought his wife and young son to the event. “And maybe, at All-Star break or after the season, I’ll come back and play here.”

That got a big cheer from the couple of hundred gathered for the occasion.

Hide Misawa, 18, had the honor of catching Hasegawa’s pitch.

The Reseda catcher said he was worried about dropping it, but Hasegawa, known more for finesse than speed, went easy on him. “I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” Misawa said.

The field, part of a complex that includes a youth-league diamond, will be used for practice by the Aces and training for International Baseball Academy players, who come from Japan year-round to improve their skills. Hasegawa was witty and polite, signing all manner of ball, instant photograph, cap and scrap of paper presented to him.

For Frank Rodriguez, 11, it was worth the wait. The outfielder from Valencia got his baseball signed. In a Dodger jacket and cap, he admitted his loyalties lay elsewhere. “I like the Dodgers better. But Hasegawa is cool too.”

*