Natsuki Higashidani

Natsuki Higashidani (東谷 夏樹)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 165 lb.

• High School Naniwa Commercial High School, Kurashiki Washu High School

• Born July 13, 1930 in Kurashiki, Okayama Japan
• Died August 31, 2009

BR register page

Biographical Information

Natsuki Higashidani played in Nippon Pro Baseball for 9 years.

Higashidani signed with the Hankyu Braves in 1949, and he hit .242/.297/.385 with 9 triples in 1950. He tied Katsuki Tokura for 4th in triples in the Pacific League. Higashidani then recorded a .272/.351/.386 batting line in 1951, and he played 94 games with a .271/.332/.380 batting line in 1952. He became the first PL player to hit for a cycle on April 13, 1952 against the Daimai Orions. Higashidani then batted .234/.310/.302 in 1953, and he had a .252/.347/.350 batting line in 93 games in 1954. He jumped to the Tombo Unions in 1955, but he slumped to .204/.264/.272 and he left the team. The Toei Flyers signed him, and Higashitani struggled again in 1956 as his batting line was .164/.227/.218 in 67 games. He hit .200/.265/.333 in 1957, and he announced his retirement after he went 2-for-13 in 1958.

Overall, Higashidani hit .237/.305/.339 with 338 hits and 13 homers in 9 seasons in NPB.

Sources

• Wiki Japan