Lotte's autumn practice was held at Zozo Marine Stadium on the 12th. After the team practice, Koki Yamaguchi and Naonori Yasuda performed long tee drills from in front of the first-base dugout toward the right-field stands, while Kyota Fujiwara and Misho Nishikawa did the same from in front of the third-base dugout toward the left-field stands. Furthermore, Kota Inoue was also conducting batting practice on the ground.

In his eighth professional season this year, Fujiwara reached the required number of plate appearances for the second consecutive year, finishing the season with a .253 batting average, 8 Home Runs, 40 RBI, and a .701 OPS.

His batting average was at .282 as of September 8th, but from the latter half of September onward, he struggled to light up the 'H' on the scoreboard. 'Pulling the ball is difficult, and since maintaining my average, I have focused thoroughly on hitting to the opposite field. Having lost that, I felt a sense of fear, and the distinction between what I should and shouldn't do became much clearer. I want to have high expectations for myself next year.'

During the final stage of the season, he continued to lift his leg while batting even after being cornered with two strikes. One wonders if this was related to the accumulation of fatigue in his legs from batting with a no-step approach throughout the long season.

As I expected, after I started pulling the ball, my contact point moved too far forward and my form worsened, so I think that is part of it. I believe if I can hit long balls both to the pull side and toward left-center field, the range of my hitting will expand.

During pre-game batting practice during the season, he would hit in various ways to prepare for the game, but in the pre-game practice for the final game of the season against the Seibu Lions on October 6th, he was hitting with his right leg raised high. One wonders if the purpose of this was to use his entire body more dynamically while hitting.

"I was practicing using my body more dynamically and creating separation," he said. During the autumn training sessions on October 11th and 12th, he also performed batting practice while lifting his right leg high.

During last year's autumn practice, he was obsessed with extra-base hits and tried various forms, including a hitting style with a hitch. I wonder if he will continue to focus on hitting for power this autumn as he prepares for next season.

I still want to hit for extra bases. Things have been improving little by little, but I struggled in the second half. Both good and bad points came out, so I want to work on building upon the good parts moving forward.

Over the past few years, when interviewing Fujiwara during this period, he often mentions "extra-base hits." He stated, "I haven't yet found a form that allows me to hit extra-base hits without specifically aiming for them, so right now I'm gradually practicing my batting so that I can hit balls at an angle without being too conscious of it. I think a home run is the best way to hit. It's the same for players like Yamaguchi, but basically, an extra-base hit is just a hit, so I want to keep aiming for that."

In recent years, he has switched to a no-step hitting style after being cornered, aiming from the center fielder to the opposite field, but one wonders if his ideal is to keep lifting his leg and aim for extra-base hits even after being cornered.

That's right, I want to focus on visualizing a long hit whenever I make contact with the bat.

Yuto Kimura's rehabilitation is progressing smoothly

Yuto Kimura, who underwent 'reduction surgery combined with an internal brace for a right elbow medial collateral ligament injury' at a hospital in Saga Prefecture on June 24, has been undergoing rehabilitation at Zozo Marine Stadium during the autumn training that began on the 11th.

Regarding his first visit to Zozo Marine Stadium in a while, he spoke with determination, saying, 'My rehabilitation itself is progressing well, and since I haven't been able to do anything this year, I have a strong desire to make up for it next year. I am in a position where I absolutely must pitch, so I am working hard with that resolve, whether I am at Marine or Urawa.'

There were also scenes of playing catch on the ground. Playing catch was resumed about a month ago, and they told us, "There is a bit of a strange sensation when I first start throwing, but compared to the beginning, I can swing my arm without worrying about it, and I'm surprised because I didn't think I'd be able to throw this much. I think the recovery progress is quite fast within myself."

Tokito Kawamura continues to focus on the power of his fastball this off-season.

In his sixth season this year, Kawamura pitched in 9 games and 49 innings, recording 1 win, 4 losses, and an ERA of 4.59.

Every off-season, he focuses on the "strength of his fastball," and this autumn he continues to train with that same unwavering commitment, stating, "I am maintaining that focus, and to achieve it, I am reviewing my pitching form. Additionally, I am mainly working on two things: strengthening my body so I can pitch throughout the entire year."

Regarding specific efforts to throw a powerful fastball, he explained, "Since I have the height, I believe my ball speed should be a bit higher, so I think I am losing power due to my form. I hope to find the right answer somewhere while trying out various sensations and completely changing my approach."

He made a strong declaration that for next season, his goal is 'not to be a spot starter, but to pitch in the rotation for the entire year.'

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita