Yosuke Kubota (18), outfielder from Sapporo Nihon University who was drafted by Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes in the 4th round, has declared that he will become the next Inaba. On the 14th, he participated in a joint voluntary training session for rookies in Maishima, Osaka. Originally from Hokkaido, he revealed that he is a big fan of Inaba, the manager of Nippon-Ham Ham Fighters' second team. "I grew up thinking that things like sprinting to position were really cool. I want to remember that," he said, setting his sights on becoming Inaba's successor.

The images of him as an active player, seen many times at Sapporo Dome as a child, are burned into his memory. "I want to be a player that people cheer for," he said, and the legend who never forgot his roots even as a veteran was his role model. When he was seven years old, he watched his retirement match and took part in the "Inaba Jump," in which fans would jump at the right opportunity, causing the ground to rumble. He aspires to become synonymous with the cheering that has become a local specialty, saying, "I would like to become something that will become synonymous with myself." The birth of the "Kubota Jump" is a secret dream.

The second round of rookie joint voluntary training began today. "My body is moving and I'm not in any pain. I want to improve my level a little and be able to enter (camp)," he said, getting off to a good start. In high school, he was a two-way player, batting fourth and pitcher, with a top speed of 148 km/h. He aims to make the most of his physical abilities, with a 50-meter dash time of 5.8 seconds and a vertical jump of 89 cm, to become the face of Orix Buffaloes. (Ando Osamu)