HIGASHI-MATSUYAMA, Saitama Prefecture--Customers filling up their tanks at a nondescript gas station here can get a souvenir of the Cinderella-like story that Lars Nootbaar has brought to Japan. 

They will receive a commemorative receipt that reads, “#23 Lars Tatsuji Nootbaar. Ouen yoroshiku onegai itashimasu!"(Please root for me!).

Nootbaar is the man of the hour, as the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has energized the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic. 

The gas station has reason to be proud. It is operated by the family of Nootbaar’s Japanese mother, Kumiko, who is from Higashi-Matsuyama, The city, northwest of the prefectural capital of Saitama, is a one-hour train ride from Tokyo.

Nootbaar was born and raised in Southern California, but he used to visit his grandparents here when he was young and has maintained close ties to the family on his mother’s side.

Satoshi Nishiyama, Nootbaar’s uncle-in-law who manages the gas station, said that the business started receiving calls and inquiries since he was named to be the first “Nikkei” American to play for Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

As a small token of pride, the gas station has introduced the Nootbaar receipt, Nishiyama said.

GOD OF BASEBALL SHRINE

Nootbaar’s middle name is Tatsuji, which Kumiko named him after his grandfather.

To make him feel welcome, his Samurai Japan teammates made a matching T-shirt that says “Tacchan,” a typical endearing nickname for the name Tatsuji.

Each player wore it the first day Nootbaar joined the team.

The icebreaker was widely reported and fans immediately adopted the nickname, calling Nootbaar “Tacchaaaan” at his every at-bat. 

Such a scene has brought pure bliss to “the original Tatsuji,” a.k.a. Tatsuji Enokida, 84.

Nootbaar’s grandfather is delighted at the fact that his name has become a household one across Japan, Nishiyama said.

Enokida is well-known locally, having previously served as a city assembly member.

At the request of the city government, Enokida obtained a wooden "ema" plaque in a prayer for a Japanese victory in the WBC from Yakyu Inarijinja shrine in the city.

The shrine’s name “yakyu” is spelled differently in kanji characters but is pronounced the same as the Japanese word for baseball.

Therefore, the shrine is known to bring baseball players good luck, and sells charms in the shape of baseball bats and gloves as well as an ema that resembles a pentagonal home plate.

Enokida got the one shaped like home plate and wrote a message on the surface, “Go for the world’s No. 1 title. Samurai Japan. Hang on with all your might,” and signed his name and brought it to the city.

City officials on March 15 displayed the ema on the first floor of the city hall.

The city hall has also decorated its entranceway with a large panel, calling on residents to cheer for Nootbaar.

SOFTBALL AUNTIES UNITE

Classmates who grew up with Kumiko in Higashi-Matsuyama have been caught up in the excitement.

Kumiko played softball at Saitama Prefectural Matsuyama Girls’ High School in the city.

She and her teammates have remained close through an alumni group called Yawara-kai.

Members of the group ordered matching navy T-shirts, with “Noooooot” in hiragana characters printed in white.

While Kumiko has attended the WBC games and watched her son play from the packed stands at Tokyo Dome, her friends have cheered while watching the action on TV from their homes.

They all wear the same T-shirt and are connected with Kumiko as they continually exchange Line messages during the games.

Kiyomi Kaneko, a Yawara-kai member who played softball with Kumiko in high school, said, “It makes me feel like we are watching the game together.”

Kaneko said she has watched Nootbaar grow and shine on the field from long before he became a Samurai Japan sensation.

“I feel like I’m his auntie,” Kaneko said. “I’m so happy that he is playing excellent all-around.”

Japan will play a quarterfinal game against Italy on the evening of March 16.

Shohei Ohtani will start on the mound for Samurai Japan in the win-or-go-home game and Nootbaar is expected to bat leadoff as usual.

“This is where the real fight begins,” Nishiyama said. “But (Nootbaar) has been in pretty good form, so I’m sure he will give a boost to the team.”