Seibu Lions Lions infielder Reon Murata (24) attended the club office in Tokorozawa, Saitama on the 3rd to renew his contract, signing for an annual salary of 9.5 million yen, an increase of 2 million yen (estimated amount).

In his second year as a pro, he played in a career-high 23 games this season, and on August 2nd, in a game against Lotte (Belluna Dome), he came in as a pinch hitter in the 10th inning extra inning when the team was trailing by one point, and hit a solo home run, his first professional Home Run. "I was fired up, thinking, if I didn't hit it in this at-bat, I wouldn't go to the farm team... I want to make more hits like that next year," he reflected.

However, his slump continues, and he has not played in a first-team game since the game against Lotte (ZOZO) on August 24. Looking ahead to next season, he said enthusiastically, "The team said they wanted someone who could hit long balls, so I want to become someone who fits that description. I want to avoid being sent down to the farm team next year and aim to reach the required number of at-bats."