Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is lending a hand this offseason to a local community in Japan that needs it.
Roki Sasaki’s offseason plans
Sasaki made strides with the Dodgers, proving he can handle a starting pitcher workload and work through adjustments as hitters adjust.
He still has so much untapped potential as a major-league pitcher, and his offseason time is precious for development.
However, his baseball responsibilities are not stopping him from giving back to his home country of Japan, which was struck by the devastating Kumamoto Earthquake.
On December 12th, Sasaki is hosting a baseball clinic to support kids affected by the earthquake, similar to one he held in December 2025 in Suzu City, where the Noto Earthquake hit.
The meaning for Roki Sasaki is helping earthquake victims
The motivation behind the clinic dates back to the Tohoku earthquake, which hit his hometown when he was just 9 years old. It led to nearly 20,000 deaths, and Sasaki lost his father and grandparents in the aftermath.
“When I was in elementary school, I was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. At that time, professional baseball players held a ‘baseball clinic’ in my local area,” Sasaki said in a statement.
“Looking back, the experience of meeting professional baseball players in person and playing baseball alongside them was incredibly encouraging and empowering—it became an unforgettable memory.
“Now, I want to provide that same kind of experience to children; this is one of the initiatives I intend to continue moving forward. I would greatly appreciate your support.”
Now a big leaguer himself, Sasaki has the chance to give back. Typically, his clinics involve running and fielding drills, talking with some of the kids, and making sure he acknowledges all of them.
As not only a major leaguer but also a member of the famed Dodgers, Sasaki is a popular figure in Japan and an inspiration for young Japanese kids with baseball ambitions.
Despite facial expressions that sometimes make him look like he is crying in the dugout, Sasaki is an utterly resilient person shaped by his experiences who wants to help others shape themselves.
