Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Shoma Fujihira selected for Japan's WBC team

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Shoma Fujihira pitcher was selected for the Japanese national team "Samurai Seibu Lions" to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Kaima Taira He was selected as an additional member after pitcher withdrew from the team.

▼Comment pitcher Fujihira▼
"I am honored to have been selected. I will do my best in the position I have been entrusted with. I will do my best to contribute to Samurai Japan's win."

◇Saitama Seibu Lions Lions to hold 6-game home opener series, "2026 Opening Series"

Saitama Seibu Lions will hold six games at Belluna Dome between Tuesday, March 31st and Sunday, April 5th as the "2026 Opening Series." At the home opener against Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes, they will be handing out bracelet-shaped lights that will light up in sync with the production inside Belluna Dome, and they will also be handing out merchandise to attendees at the two weekend games.

The "bracelet-type lights" to be distributed on Tuesday the 31st are wirelessly controlled lights shaped like the team mascot, Leo, that change to nine colors to match the lighting in the stadium. They will light up when the starting lineup is announced, at victory ceremonies after win, and when The Lions players hit home run, making them a useful item to liven up the stadium all year round.

This year's home games will feature new performances using laser lights and wirelessly controlled lights, as well as light-themed images broadcast on the stadium's vision, allowing fans to come together and enjoy the game.

Additionally, padded "initial logo vests" will be distributed on the 4th (Sat), and fleece-lined "wordmark hoodies" will be distributed on the 5th. These items will be useful in the cold season after the opening.

Tickets for the 2026 Opening Series and other games from March 31st (Tuesday) to April 30th (Thursday) will go on sale starting with a fan club advance lottery on February 13th (Friday). General sales are scheduled to begin on February 23rd (Monday, national holiday).
　
▼Comment from Manaya Nishikawa ▼
"I want all The Lions fans to come see us play at Belluna Dome, and I'm really looking forward to competing again this year with those thunderous cheers behind us. This year's L-Vision filming was different than usual, it was flashy and amazing! I hope everyone looks forward to it. Although the opening game of the professional baseball is as a visitor, playing six consecutive games at home is still special, so I look forward to seeing everyone there. Let's all win together!"

◇Choreography performed at Chiba Lotte Marines opening game

Chiba Lotte Marines will be performing a "choreography" using the entire stadium at the opening game of the 2026 season against Saitama Seibu Lions on Friday, March 27th.

To liven up the opening game of the season at home for the first time in two years since 2024, a choreography event was held with the cooperation of Chiba Lotte Marines supporters, with a capacity of approximately 26,000 people, excluding the visitors' outfield cheering section. The stadium will be painted in the team's colors of black and white, expressing the unity between the fans and the team.

Using the "plastic bags" that are included with the tickets for the game, fans will raise them all at once to create a visual of unity throughout the stadium. The plastic bags used are designed to be practical items that can be used not only when watching the game but also in everyday life. They come in two colors, white and black, and are placed in each seat in advance based on the choreography design.

Tickets for the opening game against Saitama Seibu Lions on Friday, March 27th will go on sale sequentially, starting with an online lottery for special seats for paid fan club members from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13th.

Chiba Chiba Lotte Marines Misho Nishikawa has a right arm injury

Chiba Lotte Marines announced yesterday that Misho Nishikawa, who complained of discomfort in his right forearm during defense practice on the 10th, has been diagnosed with a right forearm flexor injury. He will resume batting practice after monitoring his condition, and is scheduled to resume throwing in three weeks.

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Related Links
・ Shoma Fujihira selected for Japan's representative team, "Samurai Japan," for the 2026 World Baseball Classic!
・ The "2026 Opening Series" will be held from March 31st (Tue) to April 5th (Sun)!
・ 2026 OPENING SERIES MARINES NATION special site
・ Nishikawa's diagnosis