Title
XR Catch – Connecting pro baseball players with children in the hospital via remote XR Catch

Explanation
The Sony Creative Center recently provided its XR Catch for an event in the "G hands" program, a Yomiuri Giants initiative that connects players and staff together with fans to build a broad base of support and make meaningful social contributions. The event, which took place on June 28, 2024 (Fri.), was a fun-filled game of "remote catch" between players at the Tokyo Dome and children at Shimane University Hospital using XR Catch, an experience that allows users to throw around a "virtual ball" relying solely on sound. Four Giants pitchers—Tomoyuki Sugano, Iori Yamasaki, Yuji Akahoshi, and Haruto Inoue—took part in the event from the Tokyo Dome after their pre-game warmups.

The idea for XR Catch came from Teruhiro Nakagawa, a board member at PLAYERS Foundation, who participated in the project as the lead user with visual impairments. Mr. Nakagawa had mentioned that he wished he could play catch with his son. This single comment was the starting point for a new challenge: creating an inclusive game of catch that could be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of disability or age.

Black screen.

Listening to the ball go "beep, beep, beep," the player times their catch—and hears a "great job!" sound if they do it right.

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Organizer
Kenji Fujimoto
Yomiuri Giants Co. Ltd., Fan Business Department

Planning Collaboration
Satoshi Ohno
Shimane University Hospital, Deputy Hospital Director
Ken Fujii
The Yomiuri Shimbun Media Bureau, Senior Advisor
Nozomi Kaji
Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Edge Tech Project Headquarters, MX Team Chief Manager

Technical/ UX Collaboration
Sony Group Corporation, Creative Center

Technical Collaboration
MUSVI Inc.

Explanation
Children at Shimane University Hospital and pitchers for the Yomiuri Giants use MUSVI Inc.'s "MADO" telepresence system for a game of catch across an impressive distance: between Shimane and Tokyo.

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What is the background of this event?

Explanation
Mr. Fujimoto from the Yomiuri Giants Fan Business Department stands on the field at the Tokyo Dome as the sounds of pre-game batting practice crack through the air.

Comment from Mr. Fujimoto
The Yomiuri Giants and Yomiuri Giants Players Association organized a special event. This event connected our baseball players, who have finished their pre-game practicing at Tokyo Dome, with children at the Shimane University Hospital. 'XR Catch' made this possible enabling people in two distant locations to enjoy playing catch together.

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What is XR Catch?

Explanation
Mr. Tambata, who designed the XR Catch experience, stands in the Tokyo Dome room where the team set up the technology. He answers questions about the experience as the video shows clips of the remote game of catch between the hospital and the Tokyo Dome.

Comment from Mr. Tambata
'XR Catch' is a game in which people rely on sound to throw a 'virtual ball' back and forth. Shake the smartphone in your hand to throw the ball, and after three beep sounds, player guess and catches the timing of the fourth beat. If the ball is caught at the right timing, a sound informs you of your success.

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What is the background of this event?

Explanation
Deputy Hospital Director Dr. Ohno, sitting in the Shimane University Hospital room where the game of XR Catch took place, answers questions about his involvement in the event as the video shows clips of the remote game of catch between the hospital and the Tokyo Dome.

Comment from Dr. Ohno
I wanted to plan something exciting and thrilling for the children undergoing treatment in the hospital.

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What are your thoughts on the event?

Explanation
Teruhiro Nakagawa, a board member at PLAYERS Foundation and the lead user with visual impairments, mentioned that he wished he could play catch with his son. From that single comment sprung a new challenge: creating an inclusive game of catch that could be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of disability or age.

From the room at the Tokyo Dome, Mr. Nakagawa answers questions as the video shows clips of the remote game of catch between the hospital and the Tokyo Dome.

Comment from Mr. Nakagawa
I've been thinking about this day for a long time. It feels like a dream beyond my wildest hopes has come true.

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What are your thoughts on XR Catch?

Explanation
Children playing XR Catch, their parents/guardians, and nurses answer questions in a room at Shimane University Hospital. In the room are pictures of the Giants players and a variety of Giants merchandise.

Comment from Participant A
Even though Shimane and Tokyo are far apart, it felt like the players were right here with us, which made it really fun.

Comment from Participant B
I think that giving the children who cannot go out a chance to play catch with Professional Baseball players at the Tokyo Dome will give them strength to persevere with their treatment.

Comment from Participant C
This was a great opportunity. I believe that such a wonderful event brought joy to the kids during the monotonous days of their hospital stay.

Explanation
The video shows signed balls sent to the children after the event.

Comment from Participant D
I had fun!

Explanation
Players at the Tokyo Dome and children at Shimane University Hospital pose for a group picture together.

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