Professional Golfer Riho Miyako Makes Her First Pitch at NPB Game! "U-NEXT DAY" - DeNA BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants
Professional golfer Riho Miyako participated in the ceremonial first pitch at the 'U-NEXT DAY' baseball game between DeNA BayStars and Yomiuri Giants. The event promoted U-NEXT's extensive sports streaming content, including exclusive JLPGA and major golf championships.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 01:14
- 🔍 Collected: April 25, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 17:38 (1h 6m after Collected)
U-NEXT, operated by U-NEXT Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tenshin Tsutsumi), part of the USEN & U-NEXT GROUP, held the DeNA BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants game on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the 'U-NEXT DAY' sponsored match. Professional golfer Riho Miyako from the JLPGA tour appeared for the ceremonial first pitch.
At 1:50 PM, just before play ball, Miyako stepped onto the field at Yokohama Stadium with a nervous expression. Wearing a custom BayStars replica uniform with the number '385 (Miyako),' she headed to the mound amidst warm applause.
Miyako passed her pro test in 2024. In 2025, she performed well, finishing 8th in the domestic major Salonpas Cup and earning her seed by ranking 50th in the annual points standings. Footage of her birdie on the final hole of the Salonpas Cup and her innocent reaction following it has been viewed about 5 million times on various social media platforms.
Since 2025, U-NEXT has started exclusive live streaming of the JLPGA tour. With her overwhelming influence on social media, Miyako has significantly contributed to expanding the recognition of the tour and its streaming. Based on this history, she was asked to perform the first pitch as one of the athletes symbolizing U-NEXT's sports streaming.
High Expectations in the Bullpen... But What About the Actual Pitch?
Before the first pitch, she practiced in the bullpen. She was consistently throwing strikes and said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing not just if I can reach the catcher, but how fast I can throw.' However, in the actual pitch, she seemed to over-exert herself, and the ball slipped from her fingers, resulting in a wild pitch low and wide toward the left batter's box.
'I'm so frustrated! I want to do it over,' Miyako said with a wry smile as she left the field. 'But throwing in front of such a large audience was a special experience. Next time, I want to win a golf tournament in front of a big crowd,' she added with renewed determination.
Miyako also shared that her fellow 'Diamond Generation' friends, Rio Takeda and Sora Kamiya, are competing this week in the 'Chevron Championship,' the first major of the overseas women's golf season. 'I woke up early today to watch them. The undulations around the greens are huge, making it feel like a true major stage, but both of them are playing well. I hope they do their best from the third day onwards,' she encouraged.
Miyako's first pitch can be viewed via U-NEXT's archived streaming, which covers all 2026 Yokohama DeNA BayStars home official and farm games, as well as all Eastern League official games. Additionally, the Chevron Championship, which Miyako is following, is being brought to you by U-NEXT, which this year exclusively streams all five overseas women's major golf tournaments.
'Watch Sports on U-NEXT DAY'
DeNA BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants
[Viewing Page] https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000013012
Chevron Championship
Day 3
International Feed: Scheduled for late night, April 25 (Sat)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014068
*Viewable by U-NEXT monthly plan subscribers at no additional cost.
Japanese Player Dedicated Channel: Scheduled for late night, April 25 (Sat)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014146
*Requires purchase of the 'World Golf Pack.'
Day 4
International Feed: Scheduled for late night, April 26 (Sun)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014069
Japanese Player Dedicated Channel: Scheduled for late night, April 26 (Sun)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014147
Streaming start times will be determined shortly before the event based on player start times and tournament progress. Please check the U-NEXT official website or social media accounts.
About U-NEXT
U-NEXT is a video streaming service with the No. 1 volume of unlimited viewing content. You can enjoy over 460,000 titles including movies, dramas, and anime, as well as music lives, stage performances, and world-class sports such as soccer, golf, martial arts, and tennis in real-time.
At 1:50 PM, just before play ball, Miyako stepped onto the field at Yokohama Stadium with a nervous expression. Wearing a custom BayStars replica uniform with the number '385 (Miyako),' she headed to the mound amidst warm applause.
Miyako passed her pro test in 2024. In 2025, she performed well, finishing 8th in the domestic major Salonpas Cup and earning her seed by ranking 50th in the annual points standings. Footage of her birdie on the final hole of the Salonpas Cup and her innocent reaction following it has been viewed about 5 million times on various social media platforms.
Since 2025, U-NEXT has started exclusive live streaming of the JLPGA tour. With her overwhelming influence on social media, Miyako has significantly contributed to expanding the recognition of the tour and its streaming. Based on this history, she was asked to perform the first pitch as one of the athletes symbolizing U-NEXT's sports streaming.
High Expectations in the Bullpen... But What About the Actual Pitch?
Before the first pitch, she practiced in the bullpen. She was consistently throwing strikes and said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing not just if I can reach the catcher, but how fast I can throw.' However, in the actual pitch, she seemed to over-exert herself, and the ball slipped from her fingers, resulting in a wild pitch low and wide toward the left batter's box.
'I'm so frustrated! I want to do it over,' Miyako said with a wry smile as she left the field. 'But throwing in front of such a large audience was a special experience. Next time, I want to win a golf tournament in front of a big crowd,' she added with renewed determination.
Miyako also shared that her fellow 'Diamond Generation' friends, Rio Takeda and Sora Kamiya, are competing this week in the 'Chevron Championship,' the first major of the overseas women's golf season. 'I woke up early today to watch them. The undulations around the greens are huge, making it feel like a true major stage, but both of them are playing well. I hope they do their best from the third day onwards,' she encouraged.
Miyako's first pitch can be viewed via U-NEXT's archived streaming, which covers all 2026 Yokohama DeNA BayStars home official and farm games, as well as all Eastern League official games. Additionally, the Chevron Championship, which Miyako is following, is being brought to you by U-NEXT, which this year exclusively streams all five overseas women's major golf tournaments.
'Watch Sports on U-NEXT DAY'
DeNA BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants
[Viewing Page] https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000013012
Chevron Championship
Day 3
International Feed: Scheduled for late night, April 25 (Sat)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014068
*Viewable by U-NEXT monthly plan subscribers at no additional cost.
Japanese Player Dedicated Channel: Scheduled for late night, April 25 (Sat)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014146
*Requires purchase of the 'World Golf Pack.'
Day 4
International Feed: Scheduled for late night, April 26 (Sun)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014069
Japanese Player Dedicated Channel: Scheduled for late night, April 26 (Sun)
https://video.unext.jp/livedetail/LIV0000014147
Streaming start times will be determined shortly before the event based on player start times and tournament progress. Please check the U-NEXT official website or social media accounts.
About U-NEXT
U-NEXT is a video streaming service with the No. 1 volume of unlimited viewing content. You can enjoy over 460,000 titles including movies, dramas, and anime, as well as music lives, stage performances, and world-class sports such as soccer, golf, martial arts, and tennis in real-time.