On the 26th, Orix Buffaloes Ryuhei Sotani pitcher Ryuhei Soya (25) paid a courtesy visit to his hometown Ikaruga Town Hall. After reporting to Mayor Nakanishi about his third season as a professional, in which he recorded a career-high eight wins (eight losses), he held a "Dream Meeting" with current players from the Ikaruga Youth baseball Club, the club he belonged to in elementary school. His father, Hirokazu Soya (52), who works at the town hall, acted as the MC and expressed his hopes that "he will become pitcher will carry Ikaruga Town on his shoulders."

"Even a stone will warm up if you sit on it for three years. I think he was able to climb one step at a time by being patient and patient," he said proudly, watching his beloved son grow with each passing year. "He's so out of my reach, it almost feels like he's not even my own son anymore. Just being able to see him standing on mound healthy and injury-free makes me happy. There's nothing that would make me happier than to see the results of what I've been working on," he said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

"The year 2027 marks the 80th anniversary of the town's administration. I hope you will continue to climb step by step towards that milestone and become like an ambassador for the town," he said, also offering his support as the town hall's safety and security division chief. "It has become a regular event for you to come back to Ikaruga once a year. It's really good to have a place to return to, and you are warmly welcomed by everyone. There will be a lot of building up during the season, so I hope you will do your best so that you don't end up thinking, 'I don't want to go back.'" he nodded.