On the 2nd, Orix Buffaloes announced that Joichiro Fujiwara of the popular idol group Naniwa Danshi will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the season opener on Friday, March 27th, marking the fifth consecutive year that he will do so.
Mr. Fujiwara said through the team, "I will be in charge of the first pitch of the opening game at Kyocera Dome Osaka again this year! The 5th first pitch ceremony for 5 consecutive years on the 5th anniversary of Naniwa boys' debut! I feel a connection to the number 5! GO! GO! I will do my best with The Buffaloes feeling pitch do my best!" He commented.
![[Orix Buffaloes] Joichiro Fujiwara of "Naniwa Boys" took the mound at the opening game first pitch ceremony on March 27 with "GO! GO! The Buffaloes with the feeling of pitch with all my might."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/02/20260302-OHT1I51177-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Yutaro Sugimoto is looking forward to reuniting with his former teammate Masataka Yoshida, "I'm hiding in the shadow of Otani" on the 2nd against Samurai Japan](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/01/20260301-OHT1I51448-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Naruki Teranishi will be giving it his all as a "Samurai Slasher" starting pitcher in the game against the Samurai on the 2nd. He will be facing off against Shohei Ohtani, Masataka Yoshida, and others. "Seeing those players made me want to become a professional..."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/01/20260301-OHT1I51480-L.jpg)
