Former Japanese baseball star Kazuhiro Kiyohara pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing and using illegal drugs as his trial kicked off at the Tokyo District Court.

The former Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants slugger was making his first public appearance after being freed on bail in March. His arrest in February sent shock waves through his fan base and the Japanese sports world.

Toward 4,000 people lined up outside the court in pouring rain for a chance of securing one of the handful of seats available in the public gallery.