Rakuten Eagles outfielder Yuya Ogo conducted voluntary training in Okinawa Prefecture on the 12th, hoping to make a comeback this season.
In 2011, he was the only player from the 12 teams to play the full inning in every game, but last season he played in just 90 games, with a batting average of .173 and two Home Run, a poor performance. He is determined to make a comeback. Speaking online after practice, Ogo expressed his determination, saying, "I'm going to train hard again and do my best to have a good season."
In an effort to make a comeback, he began using the Kondo model bat from Softbank Hawks last fall. "I thought the grip felt good. When I practiced with it, I thought it was easy to handle," he said, revealing his positive reaction.
His new potential partner is shorter than his previous model, with a smaller grip end. "I think it's about 1cm shorter in length, but the grip doesn't have a place to put your fingers, so if you think of it as the length from where you actually hold it, it's about the same. Before, I was hitting by leaning towards the end of the grip, so it doesn't really feel like the length has gotten shorter," he explained.
With the improved maneuverability of the bat, he aims to improve his batting average and on-base percentage. "If I don't have a good batting average, I won't be able to play in the game. My theme will be getting on base, and using my feet to attack," he envisions.
He has brought only the Kondo model bat to his current training session. "There are good points, but on the other hand, the bat comes out more than before. I'd like to stick with this bat for a while once the games start, and work on it while consulting with my own sense," he said.
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