On the 22nd, Seibu Lions announced that second-year right-handed pitcher Hibiki Shinohara (19) has been selected as a Samurai Japan support member for the "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2026 Miyazaki" game against Softbank Hawks. He will only participate on the 23rd, the day of the game against Softbank Hawks.

He learned he had been selected as a support member on the morning of the 20th. When he was called by manager Nishiguchi, he thought for a moment that he might be demoted to the second team, but was told the unexpected words, "I think it will be a good experience, so go pitch." He couldn't hide his shock, saying, "I was shocked when I was told."

Samurai Japan brings together the top Japanese players in baseball, including major leaguers like Darvish. Among them is Nippon-Ham 's Ito, whose eyes lit up as he said, "I'd like to hear what he has to say." "Hiromi Ito. I've always been interested in him, and I've been watching pitcher, so I'd like to hear what he has to say," he said, intending to actively talk to him if given the opportunity, and use what he has to say as inspiration.

Although he was only a support member, Shinohara was able to represent Japan as a member of the top team while still in his teens. When he joined Seibu Lions as the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, "I never imagined it would happen. To be honest, I never imagined it would happen until (Manager Nishiguchi) told me." However, after some time has passed, he is slowly savoring the joy, saying, "Because I'm only a support member, I don't really feel like I was selected (for Samurai Japan), but I have come to realize more that I deserve to be selected." He is scheduled to pitch one inning. "I want to closer. It's not a way to show off, but I want to show my strength in front of the national team members and pitch as a stage to become a player who can eventually join the national team," he said, taking a big step towards his dream.

pitcher Hibiki Shinohara: "I was surprised when the manager told me about it, as I had never imagined it would happen. This is a forum where great players gather, so I would like to absorb as much as I can. I have no experience with the national team, but I would like to actively learn from what I see and feel, and ask as many questions as I can. I think it will be a short inning, but I will prepare so that I can keep the opponents closer. I would like to fully demonstrate my abilities, make an impression on the national team stage, and in the future become a player who is selected as a member of Samurai Japan."