One of Japan’s top baseball stars made a pitch of a whole different kind today. Seibu Lions star pitcher Matsuzaka Daisuke (24) and NTV announcer Shibata Tomoyo (29) held a press conference at a plush Tokyo hotel this afternoon to anounce their engagement. The couple have not tried to keep their 4-year relationship a secret, but the announcement is big news nonetheless. It comes shortly after Matsuzaka helped the Lions become Japan Series champion for the first time in 12 years. He also helped Japan win the bronze medal at the recent Olympics. The engagement follows a trend of star baseball players marrying TV announcers – other examples include the country’s top catcher Furuta Atsuya and Nakai Miho, L.A. Dodgers pitcher Ishii Kazuhisa and Kisa Ayako, and Mariners star Ichiro and Fukushima Yumiko.