Softbank Hawks outfielder Tomoya Masaki participated in a team practice at Mizuho PayPay Dome in preparation for the CS Final Stage. During live BP, he hit a doble off the right-field wall against developmental left-hander Nagamizu, demonstrating his smooth progress. He spoke firmly, saying, 'A Home Run is not something you can hit by aiming for it, so I think it would be great if I can just play my style of batting and have it result in one. As the leadoff hitter, I want to give the team momentum.'

This season, he established himself as the leadoff hitter starting in mid-May and hit 28 Home Runs, including a club-record seven leadoff home runs, but he went hitless in his final 16 at-bats of the season. Manager Kokubo gave him a seal of approval regarding his recovery, stating, 'He wasn't very good at the end, but he has been getting much better in practice.'