The 2025 professional baseball season kicked off on March 28, 2025, at the iconic Kyocera Dome Osaka, where the Orix Buffaloes faced off against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in an exhilarating opening game. The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the stands, eager to witness the first pitch of the season.
Highlighting the event was Taiki Tono, who made a striking impact in his debut as the number 6 hitter and second baseman for the Buffaloes. In his very first at-bat of the season, Tono launched a spectacular two-run home run over the left field fence, giving the Buffaloes an early advantage. The pivotal moment came in the second inning with one out and a runner on first base. Tono connected with the second pitch thrown by Rakuten's starter, Hayakawa, sending it soaring straight into the left wing seats. This impressive hit not only marked Tono's first home run of the season but also provided a crucial two-run lead for his starting pitcher, Miyagi.
"I hit a fastball. It felt great, and I thought it would reach the stands the moment I hit it! I’m really happy that it became the first run of the season, and I will continue to do my best from here on!" Tono expressed with enthusiasm after his remarkable hit.
The opening pitch ceremony also garnered attention, featuring Joichiro Fujiwara, a member of the popular male idol group Naniwa Danshi. Fujiwara, a well-known fan of the Orix Buffaloes, made his fourth consecutive appearance for the ceremonial first pitch. This year, he delivered a perfect strike, marking a significant improvement from his previous attempts, where he had thrown balls. T-Okada, a former Orix player who retired last season, stood at the plate, while Ryouchi Andatsu, the infield defense and base running coach, caught the pitch. Fujiwara joyfully declared, "I scored 100 points for that pitch!" He further added, "Honestly, I might be saying this because I threw a strike, but I couldn't think of anything other than a strike!"
As the game progressed, fans were treated to a thrilling display of baseball, with both teams showcasing their skills and strategies. The Buffaloes, who finished fifth in the league last season, are under the guidance of Manager Kishida, who is determined to lead the team to reclaim the league title and achieve victory in the championship.
Looking ahead, the Buffaloes and Golden Eagles will continue their series at Kyocera Dome Osaka, with the next game scheduled for March 29, 2025, at 14:00. This matchup is part of a three-game series that will run through March 30, 2025. Fans can catch all the action live on various platforms, including DAZN, Pacific League Special, Pacific League TV, Baseball LIVE, J SPORTS 3, MMT, and BS Shochiku Tokyu.
DAZN is currently offering a limited-time promotion for its DAZN BASEBALL package, allowing new subscribers to enjoy the first month free if they sign up by April 14, 2025. This offer is a fantastic opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the excitement of the 2025 season without any initial costs. Normally, the package costs 2,300 yen per month for a total annual fee of 27,600 yen, but during this campaign, fans can secure the first month at no charge, bringing the total to just 25,300 yen for the remaining 11 months.
As the season unfolds, fans are hopeful for an engaging and competitive year ahead, with the Buffaloes aiming to bounce back from their previous struggles. The excitement surrounding the opening game and Tono's impressive performance sets a promising tone for what lies ahead in the 2025 professional baseball season.
