Orix Buffaloes Issei Watanabe pitcher (22), the fourth-ranked player in the developmental ranks of the Japan Professional Baseball League, brought his "single-toothed geta" with him and started his professional life on the 7th. He entered the dormitory with nine other rookie players at the Seoto-kan training camp in Maishima, Osaka. Armed with a secret weapon, he will walk the same "road to success" as his fellow Sendai University student, who is five years his senior and also came from the same training program, with the hope of "representing Japan pitcher as well as Udagawa-san.

"It helps develop your ability to support the entire ground with your feet and your balance," he said, introducing the one-toothed geta as soon as he entered the room. It's a piece of equipment that former team member Yoshida (Red Sox) and others also love. "I got used to it quickly," he said, and after repeated training, he has now grown to the point where he can squat with a 40kg weight. During his university days, he mainly used it to "build core strength" during warm-ups, and is considering bringing it to the Miyazaki camp in February.

The 153-kilogram left arm, who takes pride in "throwing 150 kilometers breaking ball pitcher," is determined to "hone his quality straight ball. His favorite word is "MOKKEI," which means steadfastness. He is taking one step at a time toward becoming a manager. （Shunta Nanbu)