On the 4th, Orix catcher Kenya Wakatsuki 30) expressed his excitement to experience the "international rules." The point guard, who will be participating in Samurai Japan's training camp from the 6th, imagined the PitchCom that will be used when exchanging signs between the battery in the training match against South Korea (15th and 16th at Tokyo Dome). "For about 25 years, we've been using our fingers to make signs, but now we're using a machine, so it's a sign of the times. I might suddenly (by mistake) be making signs with my fingers (laughs)," he said, looking forward to his first experience with the latest equipment.
In the NPB, it's standard for catcher to send signs to pitcher with his right hand, but Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (31) and others communicate the type of pitch himself. "In Major League Baseball, catcher wears earphones and stuff. In the US, pitcher gives the signs, which is interesting too," he said, showing interest in the "opposite pattern" of communication from the usual. Furthermore, a pitch clock and expanded bases were also used in this training game. During the training day at Maishima in Osaka, Ohtani nodded and said, "There will likely be more opportunities to stolen base bases, so I've been practicing mainly throwing."
He was selected alongside The Giants' Kishida, Hanshin Tigers 's Sakamoto, and Yakult 's Nakamura. "There are three Central League catcher. I think they have different ways of thinking, so I'm really looking forward to (the interaction). I want to make this period a meaningful one." He will use this fall as a "dress rehearsal" and put his name forward to be a member of the WBC team in March next year. (Nambu Shunta)
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・ [Orix] Players' Association President Kenya Wakatsuki says "We have nothing to lose" ahead of the game against Nippon-Ham...Press conference before the CS
