Tabio Co., Ltd., which operates and develops sock specialty stores such as "Kutsushitaya," "Tabio," and "TabioMEN," announced on the 30th that it has signed advisory contracts with two professional baseball players, Kaito Kozono (Hiroshima) and Koki Kitayama (Nippon-Ham).

The goal is to obtain feedback from both players wearing the Baseball Series regarding their use and improvements. In the 2025 season, Koen won the "Hitting Double Crown" with the top Central League hitter title and the highest on-base percentage with his exceptional hitting sense, and Kitayama finished second in the league with career highs of four complete game and ERA 1.63. Tabio Sports will do its utmost to support the performance of the professional baseball players who represent both leagues, and will also raise the performance of all baseball players to the next level.

The contract period is one year, from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

▼ Kaito Kozono (Hiroshima)

"There are many items in baseball equipment, but socks are one of the items I am particularly particular about. With 143 games a year, it is important to be able to maintain high performance, so I wear different socks for practice and games. I don't want to be tired during practice, so I wear tabi-style socks that provide cushioning on the soles of my feet and pressure on my calves, and for games I wear five-finger socks that grip the ground better and allow me to perform at my best. I feel that socks are an indispensable item, as they help me perform at a high level and maintain my condition."

▼ Koki Kitayama (Nippon-Ham)

"I've been using Tabio Sports socks since I was a student, and I'm currently wearing their five-toe baseball socks. I like how the non-slip soles keep the socks in place inside spike, and how they provide just the right amount hold and feel like bare feet. They're also very durable, so I recommend them to anyone who cares about cost performance. I encourage everyone to try them out."