Corporal punishment doesn't work in sports, says ex-MLB pitcher Kuwata

Former Yomiuri Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Masumi Kuwata has spoken out against corporal punishment in sports following the suicide of a Japanese high school student who endured repeated beatings by his basketball coach.

Kuwata said in an interview with National Broadcaster NHK: "I don't think corporal punishment as a form of instruction makes one stronger. I think those teaching sports need to change their methods to fit the times."

According to the Osaka municipal board of education, the 17-year-old student at Sakuranomiya Senior High School told his mother he had been struck 30 to 40 times the day before he hanged himself last month.

The 47-year-old coach, whose name has not been disclosed, admitted slapping the teen when he made a mistake and said it was intended to "fire him up," the board said.

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