(Historica Canada).
Kaye Kaminishi

Vancouver Asahi alumnus Kaye Kaminishi throwing ceremonial pitch for KSMBL’s opening day

Jul 6, 2021 | 10:29 AM

KAMLOOPS — The sole surviving member of the Vancouver Asahi Baseball Club, and longtime Kamloops resident, Kaye Kaminishi will throw the ceremonial first pitch for the Kamloops Sr. Men’s Baseball League’s (KSMBL) opening night.

Kaminishi, a third basemen, made his debut with the Vancouver Asahi in 1939 at the age of 17. He and the Vancouver Asahi played until they were forced to disband 1941 when Canada interned all people of Japanese descent.

The Vancouver Asahi won various league titles between 1914 and 1941, including being crowned triple champions in 1938, winning the Commercial League, Burrard League and Pacific Northwest Japanese Championships.

Kaminishi will throw a ceremonial first pitch at 7:45 p.m., moments before the game commencing at 8:00 p.m. on Friday (July 9) at NorBrock Stadium.