Softbank Hawks outfielder Kensuke Kondo who is a member of the Japanese national team for the WBC, joined the team for practice on the 8th. The whole team warmed up and practiced, then had a batting practice session with fellow Japanese national team member Dai Makihara and Jeter Downs, who will be playing for the Nicaraguan national team in the tournament. Kondo took about 60 swings, hitting a steady stream of good sounds.

Following last season, he was in the S group and said, "I've been doing my own training properly, so I think I'm ready to go in as normal." However, the temperature was a challenge. It was chilly across the country that day, with Miyazaki reaching 5 degrees Celsius during the day. Having been doing his own training in the relatively warm Tokunoshima Island of Kagoshima, he said, "I thought it would have been better if I hadn't come back (laughs). But anyway, I was able to be with everyone, so I think I had fun there," drawing laughter from the press.