The registered players for all 20 teams participating in the 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March were announced on an MLB Network program on the 5th (6th Japan time).

In the program, Japan was the second team introduced after the United States. In the list of fielder, Taisei Makihara (Softbank Hawks) was neither an "infield" nor an "outfield," but the only one among the 30 players whose position was listed as "UTIL (Utility)."

He is registered infielder with Softbank Hawks, but has defense in seven positions except pitcher and catcher since turning pro in 2011. In 2013, he played in 104 games at second base, four games in left field, 22 games in center field, and three games in right field.

After being introduced as a utility player on the program, he was listed as an "infielder" in the list of members published on the official website.