Orix Buffaloes Alen Kuri pitcher (34) "assisted" (30), who will participate in the WBC for the first time in March, at City Shinkin Stadium near Maishima, Osaka, on March 23. He threw about 100 pitches in the 5 degree Celsius cold weather and assisted his junior in his quest to become a super-fast finisher. Kenya Wakatsuki catcher

"I don't think there are many pitcher who can throw a clean fastball," he told the batter beforehand, and he threw three types of pitches: a fastball, two seam fastball, and cutter. He put in as much effort as possible to help the batter imagine the "moving ball" that is used in international competitions. Although he only used about 60% of the power, it was a valuable opportunity for Wakatsuki to play in a real game. He also broke two of his bats, and was pleased to hear him say, "It felt harder to hit than when I was catching it."

He has a stronger passion for the Japanese flag than most. At one point, he even appealed to Coach Ibata, who is also his senior at Asia University, saying, "Please take me on as a batting pitcher." In 2013, his first year after transferring as a free agent from Hiroshima, he recorded the most wins on the team with 11, and won nine as a battery with Wakatsuki. "After talking with Kenya, I realized that what I'm doing now is not wrong," he said, bringing home some gains of his own. During the off-season, he focused on improving the quality of his fastball, and set an ambitious goal of "230 inning." His kind-hearted toughness is simply fulfilling. (Osada Toru)