On the 27th, Softbank infielder Hotaka Yamakawa volunteered to take part in practice at Koshien, the venue for Game 3 of the Japan Series, and expressed his eagerness to be a starting starting line-up at first base. Even during chilly night practice, he wore short sleeves and shorts. "We have three games here, so I've prepared thoroughly," he said, unable to closer his enthusiasm. He took some knocks at first base by himself before batting practice, and then took the batting box for pitch practice on mound in Otsu to get his eyes used to it.
In Game 2, he started as the sixth batter and first baseman, hitting a two-doble in the first inning, followed by his first home run and five RBI in the second. Kondo, who was the fourth batter and designated hitter in Games 1 and 2 after returning from a left flank injury, will be on standby as a pinch hitter at Koshien. Yamakawa is likely to be the central player in the batting lineup at first base. "In my career, I have never won the Japan Series. I want to play the game in front of me to do so, and then see what happens when I achieve that," said the slugger, now in his second year since transferring, revealing his determination to become the Japan Series champion.
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