On the 3rd, Softbank Hawks infielder Hotaka Yamakawa renewed his contract at the team office in Mizuho PayPay Dome, signing for an annual salary of 450 million yen, maintaining his current salary, plus performance-based pay (estimated amount). Next season will be the third year of a four-year contract. "Since coming to The Hawks, we've won two consecutive championships, so I'd like to extend that streak. I want to become Pacific League 's home run leader again," he said of his goals.
This season, he struggled with a batting average of .226. His 23 Home Run were second in the league, and his 62 RBI were fourth, but his numbers have dropped significantly since winning the double crown in 2012. He lost his permanent position as the No. 4 batter and has also had to adjust in the minor leagues. He was named MVP in the Japan Series after a spectacular performance, hitting Home Run in three consecutive games from the second game onwards, but he emphasized responsibility, saying, "This year's games (against Nippon-Ham) were close, and it was all my fault that we struggled." He declared, "Next season, I want to win three consecutive championships by an overwhelming margin, and I want to achieve overwhelming results myself."
He is maintaining the batting feel he gained during the Japan Series through his own training. He continues his batting practice, and is confident that, technically, "there's no need to make any adjustments from here on out. I'll be feeling good going into next year." He also revealed that he is currently on a weight-loss streak, having already lost four kilograms. He currently weighs 110 kilograms, but has warned that he plans to "get down to 105 or 106 kilograms." Looking back, he said, "Last year, I hit the most home run when I was at my heaviest," but this season, his 114 kilogram weight put a great strain on his lower body. Taking into account the impact on the amount of practice he is doing, he has decided to return to "the weight I had when I was Seibu Lions in 2017 or 2018."
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