Seibu Lions Sosuke Genda infielder (32) signed a contract renewal at the team's office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, on April 4, at a salary of 300 million yen. （The amount is an estimate.)

Next season will be the fourth year of his five-year contract. He said the team told him, "You still have a lot to offer, and we need you to do your best, so we're counting on you next year." This season, his ninth as a professional, he played in just 104 games, with a batting average of .209, due in part to the rise of infielder whom he trains, and he failed to produce results. "I really wasn't good at hitting, so I tried a lot of different things during the season, but nothing really clicked, and it just didn't work out," he said, dejected.

Looking ahead to next season, which will mark his 10th year as a professional, he stated with confidence, "I am determined to fight for the entire year as short stop shortstop, no matter what.As the regular short stop, I want to fight hard for the required number of at-bats."