Atsumu Nishikawa Celebrates Historic First Hit With Limited-Edition Carp T-Shirt

The Hiroshima Carp have released a commemorative T-shirt celebrating rookie infielder Atsumu Nishikawa's first professional hit.

The limited-edition shirt, titled “Fastest in the 2007 Generation! First Professional Hit Commemorative T-Shirt,” was announced by the Carp on August 19.

Nishikawa recorded his first professional hit during Hiroshima's August 18 game against the Chunichi Dragons at Mazda Stadium.

The achievement made the 18-year-old the first player born in 2007 to record a professional hit.

Nishikawa joined Hiroshima this year as a sixth-round draft pick out of Kamimura Gakuen Takaiga. He impressed the organization enough to participate in the team's first-team spring training camp in February.

After being promoted to the first team on August 12, Nishikawa made his professional debut as a pinch-hitter against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Six days later, he finally collected his first hit against Chunichi.

The Carp are particularly interested in Nishikawa because of his ability to play shortstop. With the organization looking toward the future, the young infielder is considered one of the candidates to become Hiroshima's next regular shortstop.

To commemorate the milestone, the Carp are offering the special T-shirt for ¥3,500.

Orders through the team's official website will be accepted for a limited time until 4:00 p.m. on August 20. The official merchandise shop in front of Mazda Stadium will also accept orders until closing on August 20.

For a player who has only just begun his professional career, Nishikawa's first hit has already become a memorable milestone for both himself and the Carp.

And if he eventually develops into Hiroshima's next everyday shortstop, this T-shirt could become a particularly meaningful piece of Carp history.