On May 12, 2018, during a game between the Nippon-Ham Fighters and the SoftBank Hawks at Yafuoku Dome, a moment that left even the hitter himself in disbelief unfolded. In the bottom of the second inning, with the Fighters trailing by two runs, Takuya Nakashima stepped to the plate after his team had already scored once to close the gap to 2-1. Known primarily as a contact hitter who relies on his speed and bunting ability, Nakashima was not expected to produce power. Yet against SoftBank’s pitcher, he connected with a pitch and sent it soaring over the outfield fence for a surprising solo home run that tied the game. The stadium fell silent for a moment before the Fighters’ bench erupted in excitement. As he circled the bases, Nakashima later admitted, “I was the most surprised of all.” The blast marked one of the few home runs in his career and became a memorable highlight in the “Play Back Those Days” series, recalling unforgettable moments in Japanese baseball history.
