Softbank Hawks kicked off their spring training camp at Ikume no Mori Sports Park in Miyazaki on the 1st. For the first time in five years, the Japan Series champion flag was hoisted above the scoreboard at Ivy Stadium.

Before practice, manager Hiroki Kokubo gave a speech, saying with confidence, "We will do our best with a fresh, new attitude and with all our heart and soul. Fans, please support us."

Softbank Hawks could potentially select up to 10 players for the WBC, including four Japanese national team members Kondo, Shuto, Makihara, and Matsumoto Yutaka, as well as six foreign players: Moinelo and Sardi (both from Cuba), Armenta (Mexico), Downs (Colombia), Chun-Wei Chang, and Xu Ruoxi (both from Taiwan).