Seibu Lions infielder Keisuke Nakata (26) went to the team office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, on the 5th to renew his contract and signed for 12 million yen (estimated amount), an increase of 5 million yen.

After being released from Softbank Hawks last offseason, he signed a development contract with Seibu Lions, and this year has been a breakthrough year for him. He played in 60 games with 20 hit and 3 RBI for a batting average of .230, and towards the end of the season he started appearing more often as second baseman at second base, but he said, "I'm just frustrated. I wanted to be in starting line-up, so I haven't been able to take advantage of the few opportunities I had, and in that sense I haven't been able to get very good results."

At the fan appreciation event held on November 23rd, he appeared in a fashion event on the main stage. He was greeted with cheers from fans in the center of Belluna Dome, and with a shy smile he said, "It was embarrassing," and vowed, "I hope to be able to receive cheers from fans when I play baseball."