Softbank outfielder Kensuke Kondo expressed his desire to team up again with Dodgers pitcher Ohtani Shohei for next spring's World Baseball Classic. He participated in a baseball clinic held at the farm facility in Chikugo, Fukuoka. "First of all, I want to fully recover from my injury and get myself in shape to be selected. If I'm selected, I really want to do my best for Japan," he said, expressing his determination to become world champions for the second consecutive tournament. He was only able to play as designated hitter and pinch hitter in the Japan Series due to pain in his left flank, but he plans to resume batting practice in December in preparation for the big stage.
When asked by a young boy who participated in baseball class, "What kind of person is Ohtani?", he replied, "He's been practicing since he was little, imagining what he will be like now. He's so baseball centered and devoted to baseball that I wonder if he's having fun. He's a boring person, though..." He joked at the end. However, like the young fan, he himself hopes to stand on ground with Ohtani again, along with his former teammates from Nippon-Ham Fighters. "It's even bigger than last time, and I want to see it as a fan," he said with shining eyes.
The United States, which is aiming to regain the world championship, is expected to have a strong lineup with Judge as captain. "We (Japan) have the world's No. 1 team. If we can get the No. 1 pitcher out there, we'll be fine," said Judge, hoping that Ohtani's two-way talent will lead the team to defeat their rivals.
He is also interested in the Shigeo Nagashima Award that has been established. I would like to go to the first one. I'll do my best. I'll do my best, and it's not about DH, but about defense," he said, adding that he would like to be the first recipient of the award, which honors the achievements of the senior baseball player from Chiba, Japan.
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