Comedian Hiroyuki Takagishi of the duo Timondy detailed a grueling high school baseball experience during a media event for heatstroke prevention today.

Takagishi's account highlights the historical intensity of Japanese school sports and the necessity of modern safety measures as temperatures rise. The event promoted the "Support Heatstroke Prevention Project," which utilizes Ajinomoto's Aquasolita series to protect athletes and supporters.

Speaking about his time in a rigorous baseball program, Takagishi described a moment when a coach ordered the pitching staff to run back to their destination [1]. He said the distance required for the run was 10 kilometers [1].

Takagishi referred to his experience as being part of a "gachi" — or serious — baseball club [2]. Despite the harshness of the training, he recalled the kindness of those around him. He said some people treated him like their own child, asking if his lunch was sufficient, and providing extra food [1].

The event focused on the dangers of heatstroke for both participants and spectators in sporting environments. By sharing these anecdotes of physical extremity, the project aims to raise awareness about the physiological toll of intense exercise in the heat. The initiative encourages the use of specialized hydration products to mitigate the risks associated with high-exertion activities [1].

Takagishi and other members participated in the announcement to bridge the gap between the traditional "tough it out" culture of Japanese athletics and the scientific necessity of hydration and cooling [1].

“"Pitchers, run back!"”

The contrast between Takagishi's anecdote of a mandatory 10-kilometer run and the promotion of heatstroke prevention reflects a shifting cultural paradigm in Japanese sports. While 'gachi' training was once viewed as a rite of passage, the integration of scientific hydration projects indicates an increasing institutional priority on athlete safety over traditional endurance-based discipline.