1. Overview
Eri Yoshida (吉田 えりYoshida EriJapanese, born January 17, 1992) is a pioneering Japanese baseball player known for her unique knuckleball pitch. Nicknamed "Knuckle Princess" (ナックル姫Nakkuru HimeJapanese), she made history in 2008 at the age of 16 by becoming the first woman drafted by a Japanese men's professional baseball team. Her career, which spans both Japanese and US independent leagues, has significantly broken barriers for female athletes in a male-dominated sport, demonstrating remarkable perseverance and talent. Yoshida's journey includes notable achievements such as being the first woman to play professionally in multiple countries and being recognized by Major League Baseball for her impact on opening doors for women in baseball.
2. Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Eri Yoshida was born on January 17, 1992, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, where she also grew up. Her introduction to baseball came at a young age, starting in the second grade at Yokohama Municipal Kitayamada Elementary School, influenced by her older brother. During her time at Yokohama Municipal Nakagawanishi Junior High School, she was a regular first baseman for the softball team. After retiring from her junior high club activities, she immediately began playing hardball and transitioned to a pitcher, a move encouraged by her father.
Upon entering Kawasaki-kita Senior High School in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Yoshida joined the hardball baseball team. However, due to inflammation in her right hand and a growing awareness of the physical differences between herself and male players, she left the team after only five days. Despite this setback, her passion for baseball remained. At the age of 14, she found new inspiration watching Major League Baseball pitcher Tim Wakefield on television, who was renowned for his knuckleball. Believing that mastering this unique pitch could allow her to continue playing baseball on an equal footing with men, Yoshida dedicated herself to learning it. She spent a year practicing in her home's underground training room, meticulously developing her knuckleball by mimicking Wakefield's distinctive grip, which involved keeping her little finger raised and not touching the ball. Her success in throwing the knuckleball well enough to secure a place on her high school's baseball team created a sensation in the national media, who affectionately dubbed her the "Knuckle Princess" (ナックル姫Nakkuru HimeJapanese).
3. Professional Baseball Career
Eri Yoshida's professional baseball career is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements that challenged conventional norms, including historic debuts in both Japan and the United States, and a later transition into coaching and team management, demonstrating her enduring commitment to the sport.
3.1. Debut in Japan (Kansai Independent League)
Following her high school experience, Eri Yoshida continued her baseball journey with various amateur and club teams. She played for the club teams Chiba Nekkyu Making and Nishitama Club. In September 2008, she joined Asahi Trust, a women's club team, where she pitched in three games during the All-Japan Women's Hardball Club Baseball Championship.
In November 2008, Yoshida successfully passed the tryout for the Kansai Independent Baseball League. Her talent was recognized in the league's draft, where she was selected in the seventh round (27th overall) by the Kobe 9 Cruise. On December 2, 2008, she officially signed her contract, marking a historic moment as she became the first woman drafted by a Japanese men's professional baseball team since the Japan Women's Baseball Federation existed between 1950 and 1951. This also made her the first Japanese woman to professionally play alongside men in the same team. During her time with Kobe, she wore uniform number 17. Still a high school student when she joined Kobe, Yoshida transferred to Yakushima Oozora High School, a correspondence school, and attended the Kobe and Yokohama campuses of KTC Chuo High School to manage her academic commitments.
Her professional baseball debut took place on March 27, 2009, at the Osaka Dome (Kyocera Dome Osaka) in the opening game of the Kansai Independent Baseball League season against the Osaka Gold Villicanes. In front of a crowd of 11,592 fans, she entered as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the ninth inning, facing two batters: she walked the first and struck out the second. For the 2009 season, Yoshida appeared in 11 games, including one start, pitching 11.2 innings with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses, and an ERA of 4.63. In October 2009, she decided to leave Kobe 9 Cruise to pursue opportunities in higher professional ranks. In December of the same year, she reached an agreement to join the Mie Three Arrows of the Japan Future Baseball League, with the understanding that she would prioritize any offers from US teams. On November 24, 2009, she also pitched a one-inning exhibition against the top hitters of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
3.2. US Independent League Ventures
Eri Yoshida's ambition led her to the United States, starting with her participation in the Arizona Winter League from late January to early March 2010. This instructional league served as a showcase for players to perform in front of professional scouts. On February 12, 2010, she secured her first win in the Arizona Winter League, pitching four shutout innings in a 5-0 victory for her team, the Yuma Scorpions, against Team Canada.
Her performance caught the attention of the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League, a major independent minor league in western North America, who offered her a contract on February 28, 2010. The Outlaws were managed by former MLB All-Star Garry Templeton, with former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mike Marshall serving as team president and general manager. On March 2, 2010, Yoshida had the opportunity to train with her idol, Tim Wakefield, at the Boston Red Sox minor league training facility.
Yoshida officially signed with the Chico Outlaws on April 8, 2010, becoming the first female professional baseball player in the US since Ila Borders's retirement a decade prior, and the first ever to play professionally in two countries. Her debut with the Chico Outlaws occurred on May 29, 2010, as a starter against the Tijuana Cimarrones of Mexico. Although she pitched 3 innings, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs, she made history by recording her first professional hit and RBI in her first at-bat of the game, hitting a single to right field off a 90 mph (145 km/h) fastball with the bases loaded. The uniform and bat she used in this historic game were later put on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. The team's decision to stream her games online garnered significant attention, with The New York Times featuring a photo and an article about Yoshida on its sports front page.
On July 27, 2010, Yoshida made her first road start against the Victoria Seals in Victoria, British Columbia, making her the first woman in baseball history to pitch professionally in three different countries (Japan, the United States, and Canada). She finished the 2010 season with an 0-4 record across 8 starts, pitching 25.2 innings with an ERA of 12.27. Her control was a challenge, as evidenced by her 36 walks and hit-by-pitches compared to 34 hits allowed. Despite the tough season, manager Garry Templeton praised her work ethic, acknowledging that any 18-year-old would struggle in the Golden Baseball League.
In February 2011, Yoshida again participated in the Arizona Winter League but did not secure a draft selection. She opted to begin the 2011 season with an amateur Japanese team in Southern California. In July, she re-signed with the Chico Outlaws, who were then part of the North American Baseball League. She pitched a no-decision game against the Edmonton Capitals. Later that week, she was traded to Na Koa Ikaika Maui, reuniting with Garry Templeton. On August 9, she picked up her first professional win in the US with Maui, pitching 5.0 innings of one-hit ball in a 4-1 victory over Edmonton, becoming the second female pitcher to win a game in a US independent league after Ila Borders. However, Maui's season was abruptly halted on August 16 due to financial difficulties, leading to all players being released. Yoshida returned to Japan on August 24, 2011. She rejoined Maui in June 2012, earning a win in her first start on June 9, 2012, pitching 7.2 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits in a 10-2 victory over the Hawaii Stars. She started the season with a 3-0 record but subsequently lost five consecutive games due to control issues. She concluded the 2012 season with Maui with a record of 4 wins and 6 losses and a 5.56 ERA.
3.3. Return to Japan and Later Career
After her ventures in US independent leagues, Eri Yoshida returned to Japan in January 2012, rejoining the Hyogo Blue Sandars of the Kansai Independent Baseball League after a three-year absence. On May 3, 2012, she earned her first victory in Japan, pitching 5.0 innings and giving up only one run against the Kishu Rangers. This win marked another significant milestone, as she became the first woman to win a game in the Kansai Independent League. Following her second stint with Na Koa Ikaika Maui in the US, she returned to Hyogo Blue Sandars in September 2012.
In 2013, Yoshida played for the Maui Ikaika in the Pacific Association, where she started 10 games, finishing with a 2-4 record and a 5.98 ERA. After the Pacific Association season concluded in August 2013, she joined the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Baseball Challenge League (BC League). At Ishikawa, Yoshida took on a dual role, serving as both a player and a member of the team's front office, specifically in sales. During the 2014 season, she appeared in 11 games for Ishikawa, recording 0 wins, 3 losses, and a 13.29 ERA. In 2015, her uniform number was changed from 21 to 49. On June 29, 2015, at Kanazawa Citizen Baseball Park, she achieved her first win in the BC League-a historic first for a female player in the league-by pitching a scoreless 10th inning against the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds, allowing Ishikawa to secure a walk-off victory. In February 2016, she participated in the tryout for the Samurai Japan Women's National Team, also known as "Madonna Japan."
On October 21, 2016, Yoshida was selected by the newly formed Tochigi Golden Braves in the BC League's expansion draft, with Ishikawa transferring her player rights. She joined Tochigi for the 2017 season. However, due to injuries, she was reclassified as a practice player on June 9, 2017, to focus on her recovery. She was released as a free agent from Tochigi on October 27, 2017.
On November 21, 2017, Yoshida announced a new chapter in her career: she would become the team director (manager) for the newly established Agekke Corporation's women's hardball baseball team, based in Oyama, Tochigi. She also continued to play for the team as both a pitcher and an outfielder. In 2020, as Hiroshi Kujiro took over as manager, Yoshida transitioned into a player-coach role. On September 26, 2018, she announced her marriage to Teppei Komatsubara, an official of the Japan Independent Baseball League Organization and former president of the Fukui Wild Raptors (formerly Fukui Miracle Elephants) in the BC League. Although married, they had not cohabited as of 2020.
On January 10, 2022, Major League Baseball (MLB) recognized Eri Yoshida's significant impact by featuring her in an article titled "These women broke barriers in baseball." This recognition coincided with the appointment of Rachel Balkovec as the first female manager in the New York Yankees' minor league system. In 2023, Yoshida announced her intention to return to pitching in the US, joining the Empire Professional Baseball League from June to August, with aspirations of making a comeback to the major league system. She pitched in 10 games, recording a 1-0 record and a 16.20 ERA. During this trip to the US, she had a heartfelt reunion with Tim Wakefield, her idol, whom she had not met since she was 18. Wakefield encouraged her to "keep pitching forever." She returned to Japan in August 2023 to rejoin Agekke. On November 1, 2024, Yoshida announced her departure from the Agekke Corporation women's hardball baseball team. Soon after, on November 12, 2024, she revealed plans to work at "tsuzuki BASE," a baseball school founded by her brother in Kanagawa Prefecture. Yoshida has expressed a long-standing desire to establish a women's baseball team in her hometown as a way to give back to the community, and she continues to seek opportunities to play competitively.
4. Playing Style and Mechanics
Eri Yoshida's pitching style has evolved throughout her career. Before 2011, she primarily employed a sidearm delivery. Her repertoire during this period consisted of a fastball, which reached speeds of up to 63 mph (101 km/h), a knuckleball that hovered around 50 mph (80 km/h), and a curveball. She also had a long toss distance of 230 ft (70 m) and could run 164 ft (50 m) in 8 seconds.
From 2011 onwards, Yoshida adjusted her pitching form to a three-quarter arm slot. This change allowed her to expand her pitch selection to include a shuuto (a type of screwball) alongside her curveball and knuckleball. Her fastball velocity also saw an improvement, reaching a maximum of 70 mph (113 km/h). With this evolution, she transitioned from being a full-time knuckleballer to a pitcher who predominantly relied on her curveball and shuuto. During the tryout for the Samurai Japan Women's National Team in February 2016, she had to rely solely on her fastball and curveball for her pitches due to a lack of accuracy with her knuckleball on that day.
5. Personal Life
Eri Yoshida is married to Teppei Komatsubara, a prominent figure in Japanese independent baseball. Komatsubara previously served as the general manager of the Japan Independent Baseball League Organization and was the president of the Fukui Wild Raptors in the BC League. Their relationship began during their time together with the Hyogo Blue Sandars. It has been publicly noted that as of 2020, they had not cohabited since their marriage. Eri Yoshida also has a connection to the world of figure skating; her husband's younger sister is the acclaimed figure skater Misato Komatsubara. Yoshida offered supportive advice to Misato, encouraging her to "not rush" during a period when Misato was recovering from a concussion and unable to skate.
6. Legacy and Impact
Eri Yoshida's baseball career holds significant historical and societal importance, primarily due to her pioneering efforts in breaking gender barriers within a sport traditionally dominated by men. Her popular nickname, "Knuckle Princess" (ナックル姫Nakkuru HimeJapanese), quickly became synonymous with her unique talent and inspiring journey.
Yoshida's most immediate and impactful contribution was in 2008 when, at just 16 years old, she became the first woman ever to be drafted by a men's professional baseball team in Japan. This was a monumental step, as no Japanese woman had played alongside men professionally since the 1950s. She further extended her barrier-breaking legacy by becoming the first woman in baseball history to play professionally in two countries (Japan and the United States), and later, three countries (Japan, the United States, and Canada), demonstrating her global reach and unwavering dedication to the sport. The recognition of her achievements reached the highest levels of baseball, with her uniform and bat from her Chico Outlaws debut being preserved and displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, a testament to her unique place in baseball history. In 2022, Major League Baseball (MLB) formally acknowledged her as one of the "women who broke barriers in baseball," highlighting her role in inspiring and paving the way for future generations of female athletes. Yoshida's career has served as a powerful example of perseverance, talent, and determination, fundamentally changing perceptions about women's capabilities in professional baseball and opening doors for greater inclusivity in the sport.
7. Statistics and Honors
Eri Yoshida's career statistics reflect her journey across various leagues, showcasing her contributions as a pitcher.
7.1. Annual Pitching Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Wins | Losses | Saves | Complete Games | Win% | Innings Pitched | Batters Faced | Hits Allowed | Home Runs Allowed | Strikeouts | Walks | Hit Batters | Runs Allowed | Earned Runs | Wild Pitches | Balks | Errors | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Kobe 9 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 11.2 innings | 56 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4.63 | 1.71 | ||
| 2010 | Chico | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 25.2 innings | 142 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 15 | 40 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12.27 | 2.14 |
| 2011 | Chico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 2.0 innings | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 3.50 |
| 2011 | Maui | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 5.0 innings | 19 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 1.40 |
| Total 2011 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 7.0 innings | 34 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 | 2.00 | |
| 2012 | Hyogo | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 | 14.0 innings | 73 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 | 2.29 |
| 2012 | Maui | 11 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | .400 | 45.1 innings | 211 | 41 | 2 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 36 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5.56 | 1.52 |
| 2013 | Maui | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 43.2 innings | 205 | 35 | 4 | 13 | 24 | 15 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 5.98 | 1.35 | |
| 2013 | Ishikawa | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 14.2 innings | 86 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10.43 | 2.61 |
| 2014 | Ishikawa | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 21.0 innings | 125 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 11 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13.29 | 2.67 |
| 2015 | Ishikawa | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 7.0 innings | 52 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 22 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 24.43 | 4.00 |
| 2016 | Ishikawa | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 6.1 innings | 46 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15.63 | 3.63 |
| Kansai Independent League (2 years) | 17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .250 | 25.2 innings | 129 | 28 | 0 | 8 | 24 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 4.21 | 2.03 | |||
| Golden Baseball League (1 year) | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 25.2 innings | 142 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 15 | 40 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12.27 | 2.14 | |
| North American League (2 years) | 13 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | .455 | 52.1 innings | 245 | 47 | 2 | 13 | 36 | 13 | 40 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5.36 | 1.59 | |
| Pacific Association (1 year) | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 43.2 innings | 205 | 35 | 4 | 13 | 24 | 15 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 5.98 | 1.35 | ||
| Baseball Challenge League (4 years) | 29 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | .125 | 49.0 innings | 309 | 74 | 6 | 15 | 70 | 27 | 88 | 76 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 13.96 | 2.94 | |
7.2. Uniform Numbers
- '17' (2009, 2011 with Samurai All Japan)
- '3' (2010)
- '4' (2011, 2013, with Maui)
- '5' (2011, with Maui)
- '20' (2012)
- '21' (2013-2014, with Ishikawa Million Stars)
- '49' (2015-2024)
7.3. Awards and Recognition
- Listed on Venus Zine's "25 under 25" list of remarkable women in 2009.
- Featured in a story on FOX Sports' This Week In Baseball on August 21, 2010, which highlighted her meeting with her idol, Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.
- Recognized by Major League Baseball (MLB) in an article titled "These women broke barriers in baseball" on January 10, 2022, for her significant contributions to the sport.
8. Media Appearances
Eri Yoshida has made notable appearances on television programs:
- Cream Quiz Miracle 9 on TV Asahi (February 27, 2013) as a guest contestant on Kimiyasu Kudo's team.
- Geki Rare-san o Tsurete Kita. on TV Asahi (February 8, 2021).