On May 28th, Seiichi Uchikawa and Masahiro Araki appeared on the second episode of "Ura-Pa - Alumni's Casual and Maniac Commentary", which was broadcast on Pacific League TV.

On the same day, despite the late arrival of Araki, Uchikawa-san provided a "loosely maniac" commentary on Fukuoka Softbank vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham game. At the beginning of the game, he said, "It's a big deal that Kondo has returned to the third position. Mentally, the team feels more secure knowing that there is someone they can trust to be the core."

Fukuoka Softbank have been struggling with the loss of key players and two five-game losing streaks so far this season, but on the 27th Kensuke Kondo returned from back surgery. In addition, Kenta Imamiya, who had been sidelined with an injury to his right elbow, also returned to action with the farm team. What are the expectations for the starting short stop, who is expected to join the first team in the near future? We spoke to Uchikawa, who played with Kondo as a teammate for nine years from 2011.

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Imamiya, who had been in the starting starting line-up at short stop for 13 consecutive years, the longest record in Pacific League, was removed from the roster after being hit by Hit by Pitch on his right elbow in a game against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham on April 30th. From the following day, May 1st, Isami Nomura has been playing as short stop. In the game on the 28th, which Uchikawa commented on, it was Nomura who hit a timely hit to tie the game in the bottom of the 7th inning when the team was trailing by one point. Uchikawa said that Nomura's good form and Imamiya's return will create a good synergy.

"I think Nomura's current success will be an inspiration to Imamiya. I think Imamiya is aware that there are other players who can work hard while he is resting. I think that kind of competition is necessary to improve the team's strength. Rather than thinking, 'I'm the only one,' if you play with the mindset, 'If I'm not in good condition, there's a chance I might lose my starting spot,' you will create a sense of crisis and be able to play with a good sense of tension. If that becomes more active, I think the team will get stronger and stronger."

Even after the tears of frustration... "Ah, you've become more reliable."

Uchikawa, who transferred from Yokohama to Fukuoka Softbank in 2011, when Imamiya was in his second year as a professional, reminisced, "I saw him cry on ground after making an error, and I saw the process of him becoming a regular player."

"Now, when I see him making comments that consider the whole team, I think, 'Ah, he's become more reliable,' and that's why I want him to hold on to the short stop position that he's so attached to for at least one more year."

He added, "When you play short stop for a long period of time, you have to move around a lot and it can be difficult. But I still think he can do it, and while he needs to take good care of his health, I'd be happy to see his name in starting line-up as a matter of course."

Another reliable main player is returning to Fukuoka Softbank. Uchikawa says that the "Nippon Life Central League-Pacific League Interleague Series 2025," which begins on Tuesday, June 3, is "a good time for players to make a break."

"In the two months since the start of the season, there have been some things that have gone well and some things that have not. The things that are not going well are also an opportunity to think, 'OK, let's all work together to change them all at once.' I want the players to take the change in opponents and stadiums as a positive and fight with the mindset of, 'Let's improve from here.'"

Interview and text by Yuna Takahashi

◇Archived videos can be found here

"Ura-pa ~ Alumni's Loose and Maniac Commentary ~" Viewer Gift Campaign

Among those who watch "Ura-Pa ~ Alumni's Relaxed and Maniac Commentary ~" and are registered for the "Pacific League Unlimited Viewing Pack" as of the end of May 2025, a total of six people will be entered into a lottery to win autographed goods from Seiichi Uchikawa and Masahiro Araki.

▼Gift contents
Seiichi Uchikawa autographed colored paper: 3 winners
Masahiro Araki's autographed colored paper: 3 winners

▼Campaign period
May 28th (Wednesday) 21:00 - June 2nd (Monday) 12:00

▼Application form
https://forms.gle/mYnPrvoP8sZruxBfA