◆Pre-season game: DeNA 2-2 Rakuten Eagles (22nd, Ginowan)

Rakuten Eagles Kenta Maeda pitcher hit runs In his first NPB game in 3791 days since October 7, 2015, when he was with Hiroshima Chunichi (Mazda), he threw 24 pitches while recalling various "NPB ahits". I threw 24 pitches.

First of all, he said, "It brings back memories" to the atmosphere of the stadium with cheering songs playing. As he headed to mound for the bottom of the first inning, he asked home-base umpire, "How many pitches did I throw (in pitch)?" Then, when he actually started pitching, he felt something was off about the height (slope) of the soil where his left foot stepped out. "This can happen at stadiums other than the (home) stadiums of the 12 teams. I have to keep that in mind," he said, as he was baptized into a local stadium he had forgotten about.

On the other hand, he did not practice catch balls between inning, a custom unique to the NPB. He continued with the major league style, although he said, "I might do it if it's cold or if the offense is long." He also did not change his routine of placing his right hand on plate before the first pitch practice.

Tsutsuka, who was looking forward to the matchup, was absent, and the DeNA batting lineup consisted mainly of young players; he didn't even know that Oda, the No. 4 pitcher, was a rookie in the DRA. Of the 24 pitches he threw, eight were straight pitches, breaking ball mainly pitch, and he said, "I didn't know the characteristics of hitter, so I chose the pitches I wanted to throw (rather than the competition). He emphasized his response, saying, "I was able to throw all types of pitches," including curves, slider and change-up.

Although he gave up two runs in the second inning due to Walk and three consecutive hits, he said, "I was able to jam them and get them to hit grounders," and pointed out his challenges for the season ahead, saying, "I'm not at the point where I can step up my game in a pinch yet. I want to get my game sense back."