Orix Buffaloes On the 4th, Shumpeita Yamashita pitcher (23) made a "New Year's Eve vow." The 161-kilogram right-hander, born in 2002, was the first to appear at the indoor practice facility in Maishima, Osaka, where the facility opened for the first time bullpen pitch in the new year. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the team's wins and losses are the most important thing.

Even though he returned to Fukuoka over the New Year holidays, he maintained his four-day work, one-day rest schedule and has been practicing in Osaka since the 2nd. "I haven't let my condition drop. I feel much better," he said, throwing around 10 pitches with catcher standing on the day. With an eye on the Miyazaki camp in February, he plans to spend the entire month in bullpen. "I want to work on my technique (at camp), so I want to make sure the ball is in a condition where I can throw it. It's important to see how much I can throw in the cold," he said, planning to increase his output from an early stage.

After 25 years of overcoming back problems during his growth, he is now well rounded in mind, technique, and body. He also considers his first regulation innings pitched to be a passing mark, saying, "If I throw normally, I can clear the number. （Shunta Nanbu)