Nippon-Ham infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya (26) vowed on the 24th to take on the title of "Summer Man" with the power of sushi, ahead of the league's resumption on the 27th against Seibu (Belluna D).
He finished the interleague games with a batting average of .390, the second highest on the team. "I feel like I'm riding my left foot well. I'm able to change my stance depending on pitcher 's quick pitches," he said, showing that his condition is improving. However, after the final interleague game on the 22nd, manager Shinjo gave him some instructions, saying, "Every day and a half passes, things change. I want you to play as the new Kiyomiya."
Last season, he hit a total of 15 Home Run from July onwards, proving himself a summer man. "I'm being reborn. I want to hit a few more home run," he said, eager to hit more, as he has only hit five this season.
Before training at ESCON, he attended a preview of "SUNNY TERRACE," a commercial facility in F Village that is set to open on the 25th. He made a surprise appearance wearing a name tag and a white coat as "Kiyomiya Kantaro," a sushi chef at Kantaro, a conveyor belt sushi chain that operates mainly in Hokkaido. Kantaro is known for its thick toppings, and he also transformed his "Kantaro power" into strength, saying, "Eating this will add depth to the batting and pitcher lineups. No doubt about it." (Kawakami Haruki)
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