On the 8th, Kensuke Kondo (32), outfielder for Samurai Japan's Softbank Hawks Hawks, declared that he would be a "two-way player" aiming to become the world champion again. The S group had been left to their own devices until the 13th, but from that day onwards, they joined the Miyazaki training camp. During the lunchtime batting practice, Kondo took 59 swings with a new form that keeps his upper body high, saying, "I want to increase the probability of catching high fastballs," and expressed his determination to compete in the main tournament in March.

"There are many players who can become true point scorers. Their role will be to get on base and connect the play." In his last season in 2011, he had a batting average of .346 and an on-base percentage of .500, a good result. Along with fellow former Nippon-Ham teammate Ohtani (Dodgers), he is one of the key players in the batting lineup, and he intends to contribute with careful batting.

He is aware that it is also important to integrate with the major league players. He was born in 1993, the same year as Red Sox's Yoshida Tadashi, and volunteered to be a "connector" in terms of communication, saying, "I think the players who played last time will become like that." He has one of the best track records and experience in the NPB. He will be the ultimate lubricant. (Moriguchi Noboru)