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WhiteWings Sign Japanese Player for First Time

July 4, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen - For the first time in United League Baseball history, the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings announced today they have signed a Japanese player, infielder-outfielder Daisuke Yoshida, who had been with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Atlantic League).

To make room on the roster, the WhiteWings released outfielder Kenny Hart.

A 5'8, 175 pound 34-year old, Yoshida started his career as a practice player for the Orix Blue Wave (Pacific League) in his hometown of Kobe, Japan. After suffering a shoulder injury, Yoshida bounced around in the Japanese minor leagues. He also started a business and owned his own company.

In 2007, Yoshida came to the United States to continue his baseball career and became a practice player for the Nashua Pride (Can-Am League). Last season, he was in spring training with the Quebec Capitales (Can-Am League).

For the Blue Crabs this season, Yoshida was 1-for-2 with two walks and one run scored in five games (three as a pinch-hitter, two as a left fielder).

Hart was 2-21 in six games and 0-for-his-last-18. He struck out nine times while drawing four walks and going 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts. He drove in two runs and scored twice.

The WhiteWings are members of United League Baseball, an independent league of six professional baseball teams located in Texas. In its fourth season, the United League is in the midst of a great summer with teams located in Amarillo, Edinburg, Coastal Bend, Laredo, Harlingen and San Angelo.

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