On the 8th, Hirokazu Soya, the father of Orix Buffaloes Ryuhei Sotani pitcher Ryuhei Soya (25), sent a passionate cheer to his beloved son, who will be making his first appearance in the WBC. He visited the Miyazaki training camp with his mother, Kaori, and other relatives. "As the first and second members of his fan club, Mom and Dad will just support him to the fullest. Even if I have to go to the final in Miami, I want to go to the final in Miami, even if I have to fit in the baggage compartment of the plane (laughs)," he said, full of affection.

He joined the team as the first pick in the 2012 draft, and in his fourth year he has grown to become a player who can represent Japan. Hirokazu, who works at the town hall in his hometown of Ikaruga, said, "Thanks to you, he has become a player that the kids on the local youth baseball team look up to," and has seen firsthand how the left-handed pitcher's performance is livening up the town. Before joining the Samurai Japan training camp on the 14th, he made his first appearance on the mound in live BP (batting practice in a real game setting). "All you have to do is just do it. I want you to perform to the best of your ability in the position you are given," he said, injecting his energy into the player.

His family is also in fighting mode as they prepare for the main tournament in March. "All I can imagine is him toying with hitter, playing with them like a puppet," he said, believing in his pitching and intending to continue cheering him on. (Nambu Shunta)