Orix Buffaloes Ryuhei Sotani pitcher (25) vowed to "return the favor" by pitching well. 26th, the fourth-year professional left-hander was announced as a member of Japan's national team for his first World Baseball Classic (WBC). I'm really glad I've been up until now. I never thought I would be on this stage. baseball

"I've been able to baseball thanks to the support of so many people, and I want to give back to them in some small way... I want to express my gratitude through my play." At the time of the last tournament in 2011, when Japan was crowned world champion, he was preparing for his first season as a professional. He vividly remembers the warm-up match against Orix Buffaloes (Kyocera Dome) on March 7th of that year. "(At the time) I really thought that in a few years, I would like to play on a stage like this too. Conversely, I hope I can become a player that kids who will play baseball in the future will aspire to be." After three years, he has promised to give people dreams.

Along with teammate Miyagi, he has proudly joined the "left-handed slot" that also includes major league players Kikuchi (Angels) and Matsui (Padres). With his prized "roller coaster slider" that has a large curve, he is also expected to play a role as the second starter. "I think I just have to pitch in the position I'm assigned to, and to be honest I'm not worried. My specialty is pitches that move wildly within strike zone. I want to pitch with confidence." Everyone is eagerly awaiting the moment when they will become consecutive world champions. Soya will surely be in that circle.