◆ Positive influence on a young team: "He practices like crazy..."

Nippon-Ham, aiming for the league championship, started their spring training camp in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture on the 1st. Haruki Nishikawa, returning to his former team after five years, hit some hits during batting practice under the watchful eye of manager Shinjo, and actively communicated with his teammates during base running and defense practice, working up a sweat energetically from the first day.

The returning "speedster from the north" also drew attention on Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 2nd. Commentator Tomotaka Sakaguchi expressed his expectations, saying, "The team is young, so I think we need a veteran. He practices like crazy, so his attitude towards practice will definitely have a positive influence on the younger players. He's still in good physical condition, so I think he's in a position to aim to become a regular. He's come back at a good time, when the team has really become stronger."

Another commentator, Masaki Saito, analyzed, "Apart from catcher Yushin Shimizu Shimizu, Nishikawa is the only member of the first-team fielder camp who has been there for over 10 years. When a young team has someone who is like a teacher, I think the young players have something to learn from him and it can also be beneficial for them. He was originally with Nippon-Ham, so in that sense I think they will be able to communicate well."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"