Seibu Lions Shuta Tonosaki infielder (32) vowed to play to encourage the victims of the earthquake that struck his hometown of Aomori on August 14.

He is originally from Hirosaki City, and his family runs the Tonozaki Apple Orchard in the same city. Fortunately, there was no major damage to his family or the orchard, but a "later earthquake warning" remains in effect. Having experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake himself when he was a third-year student at Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School, he expressed his distress, saying, "Having experienced it once, it's a bit scary. I don't know what it's like in Hachinohe, but... I'm worried..."

On this day, he interacted with fans at an event at Belluna D. This season, after switching to third base, he played in just 115 games, the first time in four years that he has played in fewer than 120 games, with a batting average of .234. Next season will mark his 12th year as a pro, and he will be approaching veteran status, but he is not guaranteed a regular spot. Even so, "I think there are people who have been affected, so I want to do my best to give strength to those people," he said. He intends to take his game to the next level in order to deliver a powerful "Apple Punch." (Onaka Ayami)