On the 20th, Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Ryota Itokawa (27) vowed to move away from being a handyman by learning his colleague Imai's "relaxed pitching style."

This season, Imai's "catch-ball pitching style," which allows him to deliver fastballs at speeds up to 160 km/h from a relaxed form, has attracted much attention on the team. In fact, it was Itokawa who taught the ace right-hander his new pitch, the sinker, and contributed to his unrivaled dominance. Now it's his turn to "steal." He practices catch ball and other exercises at the team's facility in Tokorozawa, Saitama. "I won't get to that level (Imai), but I want to make (hitter) feel like the ball is coming to me rather than just swinging my arm," he says, working on himself almost every day without a day off.

In his second year as a professional, he pitched in 13 games, his highest number of appearances to date, but was often behind. It is certain that closer Taira will return to the starting position next season. "I would like to be able to be a closer someday, and if I don't aim for that, there's no point in playing professional baseball." He is determined to achieve that position. (Oonaka Ayami)