Orix Buffaloes Ryuhei Sotani pitcher (25) vowed to "go beyond Horyuji." On March 26, he paid a courtesy visit to the town hall of Ikaruga, Nara, his hometown. The left arm braced himself as he was told by Mayor Nakanishi that "Ikaruga has always been referred to as Horyuji Temple, but recently it has become common to refer to it as Soya . pitcher

"I'm still not strong enough (to carry the town on my shoulders). I hope I can be a source of strength for my hometown." This season he recorded a career-high eight wins (eight losses), but was win in the second half of the season. On the 22nd, he announced that he had married a non-celebrity woman of the same grade, and his goal for his fourth year as a pro is innings pitched for the first time. Regarding his father, Hirokazu (52), who works at the town hall, hoping that he will be appointed as a "hometown ambassador," he added a "condition" to his appointment, saying, "Only after I am completely accepted by the public."

On this day, the Japanese national team members for next March's WBC were announced in advance. Soya, who pitched three perfect pitch in the match against South Korea on November 15th (Tokyo Dome), said with shining eyes, "If I'm selected, of course I want to play (with them)." (Nambu Shunta)