Seibu Lions Softbank Hawks announced on March 3 that Chihiro Sumida pitcher (26), Ryota Itokawa pitcher (27), and Keisuke Nakata infielder (26) have been selected as supporting members for the Rugzas Samurai Japan Series 2026 Miyazaki on March 22 and 23 and the Rugzas Samurai Japan Series 2026 Nagoya on March 27 and 28, Chunichi.

Comments from the three players are as follows:

[Comment by Chihiro Sumida]

I am deeply honored to have been given such a valuable opportunity. Being able to spend time in the same environment as some of Japan's top pitcher will be a great source of inspiration and I believe I will learn a great deal. As a support member, I will make sure to fully understand the role expected of me and do my best to contribute to the team. I will also use this experience to further my own growth and to achieve results in the season.

[Comment from Ryota Itokawa]

I am extremely honored to have been selected as a support member for Samurai Japan. I believe this will be an extremely valuable time and experience in baseball career, so I would like to learn and absorb as much as I can in many different ways and use this to improve my level. I will do my best to do everything I can, without overreaching myself.

[Comment Keisuke Nakata]

I feel humbled by this precious opportunity. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to watch Japan's top players play up close, and I hope to absorb as much as I can from their play, preparation, and mindset. I will not let this experience go to waste, and I will do my best to show my growth through my play this season.