infielder Kazunari Ishii (31), who is transferring from Nippon-Ham to Seibu Lions as a free agent, held an introductory press conference at the team's office in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture on the 26th.

After the press conference, Ishii was surprised with a message board signed by fans, to which he smiled and said, "I'm so happy." His family runs a rice farm in Tochigi Prefecture called "Ishii Rice." During his time with Nippon-Ham salted rice balls made with "Ishii Rice" were sold at the stadium as one of the players' gourmet items, so there were many messages about the rice. "I'm a baseball player, but I'm looking forward to Ishii Rice... (laughs). I hope people will also look forward to my playing," he promised with a smile.