Lotte, which finished in last place this season with a record of 56-84-3, is holding its first fall camp in Miyakonojo under new manager Saburo. Under the banner of "Showa-no-Kampu," the team has been practicing every day until the sun goes down. Chunichi Former Lotte reporter Shohei Kato, who played with the manager for four years from 2001, "saw" Saburo's style of training and its aims, which are not mere "hell.

After practice, the fielder' hands were stained red from the daily practice, and they walked with heavy steps to board the bus home.

This was Saburo's first training camp since taking office. It was clearly a Saburo-esque camp. There were two main differences from a regular training camp.

<1> Practice start time

Normally, the standard for camp mornings is early, with players arriving at 8:00 AM and full practice at 9:00 PM. However, the early departure time is now 9:45 AM, with full practice starting at 10:00 AM for pitcher and 11:00 AM for fielder, continuing until around 6:00 PM. Before practice begins, players are required to do weight training once every two days, pushing their bodies to their limits. One training coach sees the benefits as "It's good because you can do the repetitions while your body is in good condition. It's hard to push yourself when you're exhausted after practice." A nutritionist accompanies the players, and they are provided with plenty of snacks. The later start allows players to get more sleep, which helps them recover from fatigue and prevent injuries.

<2> Running

So-called running-only menus are imposed on pitcher but almost never on fielder. Instead, each player does more than 10 laps of base running practice during free hitting, while being aware of batted ball judgment and base turns. 22-year stolen base king Takabe said, "It's harder than normal running, because the load on the body is greater. Weight training before practice has made the practice more efficient, with realistic practice plus strengthening while also keeping the body taut.

During batting practice, they make sure to swing as much as possible. They also incorporate team batting, such as bunts and hit-and-runs, and are diligently checking sign plays. The continuous tee shots that were practiced in the first session were changed from the second session to full swing tee shots of 10 balls x 10 sets and half batting of about 120 balls, and no loose swings were allowed. There was even a moment when Fukuura, the second-team manager, checked the strength of the players' lower bodies with each pitch.

The player's words were, "I want to live up to Manager Saburo's guidance." I was also approached by him many times during my playing days, and I respected him. In 2014, when I was with the Lotte Marines, I was struggling with my batting, and he called out to me in the changing room of the Zozo (then QVC) bathroom, saying, "Try getting dressed for hitting there." The instruction lasted an hour, and he listened attentively. We were both clad in nothing but towels, and it was past midnight. The next day, when I got three hit in the game, he laughed and said, "It was worth all that effort naked. God is watching, isn't he?" When I called to tell him I'd decided to retire, he said, "You've worked hard for 12 years. You've really done well," and tears welled up in my eyes. Amid his strict atmosphere and words, there was warmth. The players must have understood that, too.

This hybrid camp, combining the Showa and Reiwa eras, also serves to manage the players' physical condition, but it's not guaranteed that results will be seen immediately next year. Even so, individual efforts will surely pay off. In the near future, I hope to see Coach Saburo being lifted up in celebration, led by the young players who worked hard in Miyakonojo.

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