1930-2003
Bill Nishita, ex-Islanders, Japan pitcher, dead at 72
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former Hawaii Islanders and Japan professional pitcher Bill Nishita died Friday, according to a family member. He was 72.
Advertiser library photo • Nov. 10, 1996
Nishita, a graduate of Saint Louis School, pitched in six different seasons in Japan's major leagues, according to the annual Japan Pro Baseball handbook. He pitched for the Yomiuri Giants in 1952 and 1955. He was among the first Americans to play pro ball in Japan. The first was another Hawai'i player, Japan Hall of Famer Wally Yonamine.
Bill Nishita was among the first Americans to play pro ball in Japan.
Yonamine said Nishita inspired him to improve his game.
"When Bill was playing, he was making two or three times as much (money) as I was," said Yonamine, who was Nishita's teammate the two seasons with the Giants. "I was really hoping that if I worked hard, I could be as good as Bill."
Yonamine said Nishita was a good control pitcher.
Nishita also pitched for three other Japanese teams. His winningest season was 1958 when he was 16-19 for the Toei Flyers.
Nishita also pitched in the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system in 1956 and 1957 before returning to Japan. In 1962, he pitched for the Hawaii Islanders, a Triple-A team in the Pacific Coast League.
He finished his pro career in 1963 with the Kokutetsu Swallows in Japan.
Nishita also pitched for Asahi, the Braves and Rural Red Sox of the Hawaii Major Leagues.
Services will be private, according to the family member.
