Seattle Reign striker Nahomi Kawasumi traded her all-blue uniform for pinstripes on Wednesday, throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners took on the visiting Miami Marlins.
The Nadeshiko Japan regular delivered an impressive effort that cleared home plate at Safeco Field, where fellow countryman and Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma waited to make the catch.
Naho took a little trip to Safeco Field today to throw out the first pitch. Thanks again for having us @Mariners! #LetItReign pic.twitter.com/n39UsFfRzb
— Seattle Reign FC (@ReignFC) April 20, 2017
The former INAC Kobe Leonessa star was also joined by basketball player Ramu Tokashiki, a power forward with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and member of Japan’s women’s national basketball team.
The two participated in Wednesday’s festivities to commemorate the final local appearance of former Mariners outfielder and current Marlins player Ichiro Suzuki, who is in the last season of his legendary MLB career.
Kawasumi featured for the Reign during their 1-1 draw against Sky Blue FC in last weekend’s National Women’s Soccer League season opener. She is in her third season with the club, having scored a total of 12 goals in 32 appearances during the 2014 and 2016 campaigns.