Softbank Hawks Ryuta Inagawa pitcher The rookies, who entered the Wakataka Dormitory in Chikugo City, Fukuoka, on April 5, practiced at the indoor practice field. Inagawa said, "I feel like it's finally going to start. I'm relaxed, but I wonder if I'll feel some tension tomorrow.

On this day, he played catch with third-place pitcher Gota Suzuki from Osaka Commercial University. He started with a light throw to check his condition, but gradually he unleashed a powerful fastball. The right-hander, whose fastest pitch is 152 km/h, said, "I thought, 'I'll just take it easy today,' but I ended up putting a little power into it... (Suzuki's) ball is really strong," indicating that both pitcher are fully prepared.

When he moved into the dormitory, he brought a sauna hat with Softbank Hawks logo on it. He won it as a prize at the end of last year when he got a perfect score in a strikeout game with 16 targets. He revealed that he immediately put the hat on last night and went to the dormitory sauna with Go Suzuki and pitcher Masato Sagara (Gifu Kyōritsu University), who was ranked 4th in the same competition. "I'm aiming to make the opening day roster, so I want to take my time and not rush things," Inagawa said. He will be heading into this milestone day in a state of "perfect condition," both physically and mentally.