Though not explicitly stated, Kyoushirou is based off the real life Major League player Ichiro Suzuki. Both Ichiro and Kyoushirou where originally Japanese players, bear the same number (fifty-one), play right field, are the lead off batter and play for Seattle's team in the Major Leagues (Ichiro no longer plays for Seattle, but during the airing of Major S4 this was true). Not only that but Kyoushirou shares many characteristics of Ichiro such as versatile place hitting, batting stance, "rocket like" throwing arm and quick, aggressive base running.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Suzuki</a>)