Lotte's Misho Nishikawa outfielder (22) made a triumphant return to his hometown of Hidakagawa, Wakayama, on January 12. He participated in a PR event to promote his tax return and shook hands with about 30 local residents. Nishikawa, who grew up in an environment rich in nature with tangerine orchards, a local specialty, in many places, said that when he was a student at Yamano Elementary School, he had "six classmates. When I walked around my house, I was approached by almost everyone, and they were all very warm. It's a place where I feel at home when I come home," he said proudly.

It is a way of giving back to the local community. Together with Rakuten Eagles and Daisuke Nakashima outfielder (24), also from Hidakagawa Town, a new tournament for boys baseball named the "N&N Cup" was established. The tournament is for 4th grade elementary school students and younger, and was established to "help create future professional baseball players. I am where I am today because of the support of many people in this area. It's also a way for me to return the favor," he said, expressing his feelings toward his hometown.

The final will be held on the 13th, and coincidentally, the Kawabe Winstars, the team Nishikawa once played for, will be competing. Nishikawa plans to attend to see his juniors perform heroically. The "senior" who got off to a great start in the professional world by winning Rookie of the Year, said with a smile, "I'm very happy (about the creation of the tournament), and it's amazing that the team I was on is making it to the final. I'm so excited (about the final) that I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight (laughs)."