Koki Kitayama pitcher (26) of Nippon-Ham the WBC Samurai Japan team, arrived bullpen on the first day of camp and threw a total of 35 pitches using WBC pitches, including a straight ball, curveball, splitter, cutter, splitter, and change-up. I was really trying to figure out how to pitch to right-handed hitters on the inside of the plate," he said. I was able to get a lot out of it, including how to get rid of the ball at the wrong time, when a good ball actually went there and when it went high, so I was able to get a good confirmation. I think I'm getting better at swinging my arm and getting the ball on the right course," he said.

Between pitch, Manager Shinjo also pointed out some of pitch habits. "He said there's a difference between my unconscious habits when throwing a fastball and breaking ball, or rather, the way I move when I get into my setup, so that's something that's been bothering me personally since last year. He told me from a batter's perspective, 'You should pay a bit more attention to this.' I really appreciated the advice," he said, expressing his gratitude for the manager's astute observations.