sport news Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki apologizes to Czech player William Escala ... trends now Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki apologizes to Czech player William Escala with two big bags of candy after clobbering him on the knee with 101mph fastball in WBC matchup By Isabel Baldwin For Dailymail.Com Published: 15:55 GMT, 13 March 2023 | Updated: 15:55 GMT, 13 March 2023 Viewcomments Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki found a sweet way to to make it up to Czech outfielder William Escala after clobbering him on the knee with a fastball. Sasaki is a top pitching prospect in Japan with the ability to throw 100 mph or more and his team's WBC game against the Czechs Saturday was no exception with Escala falling victim to the lethal fastball when he stepped up to the plate. Escala crumbled to the ground writhing in pain when Sasaki thumped his left leg with a 101 mph fastball. Escala crawled on his hands and knees after being hit, rolled over to his back, grabbed his left leg and cried out. Despite clearly being in agony, he heroically remained in the game, until being replaced for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. Japan's Roki Sasaki hit William Escala's leg with a 101 mph pitch in a game against the Czechs Meanwhile, Sasaki was removed from the game one batter later and as he left the field he tipped his cap to Escala - a sign of respect in Japanese culture. And, Escala claimed it was all worth it after Sasaki found him Monday to apologize. Escala kept the ball that hit him and wound up getting it signed when Sasaki met him to gift him some candy to make up for his vicious fastball. Emerging ace Sasaki met Escala outside the Czech team hotel in Tokyo, bringing with him two big shopping bags full of Japanese candy. The 21-year-old was following a Japanese tradition of a pitcher giving a gift to the batter after hitting them. Japan's team Twitter account shared a photo of Sasaki and Escala posing together with the bags of candy Monday. 'He gave me some goodies, and a bunch of different candies and stuff like that,' Escala explained. 'And then I asked him if he could sign the ball as a memory for me. Something I will keep. Very cool. Something I´ll cherish and never forget.' 'That was a wow moment,' Czech captain Petr Zyma told MLB.com. 'The Japanese culture never stops to amaze me each day we are here. They once again took it to another level as a superstar that Roki is; he took his time to come to the bus, meet Escala, send us a bunch of candy and sign a ball for Willie. It was a huge sign of respect.' The Czech outfielder crumbled to the ground, gripping his knee as he writhed in pain Escala crawled on his hands and knees but stayed in the game despite being in agony He rolled onto his back before trainers ran onto the field to tend to the 24-year-old Czech manager Pavel Chadim added that Sasaki's gesture 'reminded me that baseball is not just war or a business, but the sport of gentlemen.' Chadim later told reporters that Sasaki's apology was 'a heartwarming thing and it touched us.' 'That brings us a huge extra energy,' Chadim said. 'I'd like to again thank the nation of Japan.' Japan went on to beat the Czechs in a 10-2 rout on Saturday night, which saw it move to 3-0 in Pool B and guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility