Nippon-Ham pitcher Leo Shibata entered bullpen at the second-division Kunigami camp on the 13th. He threw 13 pitches, making final preparations for the first game of the season, the Red vs. White game (Nago) on the 14th.

He is facing an unexpected struggle. After finishing bullpen, Shibata said with a wry smile, "I was able to make the final adjustments just in time." He reflected on his condition immediately after the start of camp, saying, "It was so bad I wondered if it was really that bad."

During the off-season, he focused on building muscle strength, mainly through weight training, and on batting. As for pitch, "I've been more slack than usual." It was only after training camp started that he realized the seriousness of the situation. "This is the first time I've had this much trouble. I've never had that much trouble with my control since I became a pro. My form is all off. I've gained muscle strength and am completely different from last year, so that's what's difficult," he revealed.

Shibata says he has completely rebuilt his pitching form to suit his increased physical strength. "Tomorrow will be the crucial day," he said, as he prepares for his first game of the season as pitcher.