On the 4th, during a day off from their training camp in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, four rookie players from Lotte visited the famous Miyakonojo Shimazu Residence in the city.

First up, pitcher Genki Ishigaki (18) of Kendai Takasaki, second-round pitcher Kaito Mori (22) of Meiji University, fifth-round pitcher Hayato Fuji (23) of Nippon Express, and seventh-round pitcher Taisei (24) of Honda Suzuka, all tried out rickshaws. Gen Ishigaki smiled as the older Fuji pulled him.

Next, he was instructed in the Nodachi Jigenryu style of swordsmanship, which has been passed down since the Satsuma domain during the Edo period. Gen Ishigaki learned "continuous strikes" and "drawing" from Mr. Osamu Kari (35), head of the Miyakonojo Dojo of the Nodachi Jigenryu Heihokai. He commented, "My hands hurt more than I thought, and I thought the samurai were amazing. The way they swing their arms is similar to (pitch)."

At a cafe renovated from a stone storehouse, they enjoyed Miyakonojo tea, a local specialty. On the 3rd, Gen Ishigaki, who was described by manager Saburo as a "monster" after throwing 15 powerful pitches in his first professional bullpen, and the other three players were recharging their energy for the first day of the second training session on the 5th.