Mr. Inokuchi who is a high school baseball umpire.
Field Force, a Japanese baseball equipment manufacturer, includes members who are experts in various baseball-related fields, such as active baseball players in Japanese industrial league and a high school baseball umpire.
Mr. Inokuchi is one of our members who is in charge of delivering our arm-type pitching machin around the country. He also works for high school baseball in Japan as a baseball umpire.
Let us share a story of how one of our top hit products was developed from Mr. Inokuchi's own bitter experience.
When he was coaching to kids, he had hard time throwing balls to the strike zone.
"It gets me nervous when I have to throw balls, because I am not good at throwing balls"
"When we practiced using Coach Rod”, which you just hold out to the course of your choice, I was less nervous."
Popular with the elementary school baaseball team
Well, I have an idea!
If you could actually hit the ball in this way, it may be great for batting practice!
A brand new product has developed from something you are not good at.
Having something that you are not good at is not always a bad thing.
A success story of a development of a new batting practice equipment was born to overcome something he was not good at.
・I want to throw balls in different courses and heights for kids to practice.
・I am not good at throwing the balls consistently in the strike zone.
What should I do?
Inspired by the popular Coach Rod, I came up with an idea to actually hit the balls in the same way. Then, the development of a new product immediately begins.
By making the most of our knowledge and experience
The first step is to submit illustrations to the product development meeting.
First illustration
Is it possible to set a ball at th tip of Inside-out bat which bends and has been used for batting practice.
Is is possible to use the idea of Swing Partner Backspin that is a popular equipment used for hanging tee batting practice.
Since Field Force has been developing specialized baseball practice equipment, we have fully used our expertice in the product development. 
There are many forms and shapes of the end of batting equipment.
We have done tests by combining existing products.
With a sample we made, we have done batting practice. I was convinced that this would be a good item for batting practice.
From here, we have Involved the staff from our manufacturing factory to formally discuss about the shape and specifications for its commercialization.
How about a hanging style?
With the idea of Backspin Tee, we made a sample of hanging version of this item.
Howerver, hanging a ball at the end of the L-shape structured rod, it gave too much pressure to the handle.
Also, because this bending rod shook with the weight, the bat could not meet the ball well.
This cannot be used for continuous batting practice.
Finally, the structure and the name of this new product has been decided.
It takes time to adjust the courses and heights with Tee Stand.
Coach Rod cannot show the trajectory of the ball.
This new product is able to adjust the heights and courses.
You can actually hit the ball,
and see the trajectory of the ball.
The name of this product is,
Real Coach Rod
↓
Coach Tee Rod
↓
Tee Rod!
It will be a revolution to the batting practice!
Some voices from users
When we brought samples to a tournament that Field Force sponsors, Tee Rod was very popular with parents who do not normally toss and kids who have trouble throwing to the intended target!
The development of this produt first started from the negative feeling, but it turned out to be exactly the solution to the problems of people on the baseball field, and became a popular practice equipment that everyone likes.
Tee Rod
Our challenge to product development by the president and staff of the baseball equipment manufacturer who sincerely care about kids will continue without end.