WBC warm-up match: Orix Buffaloes 4-3 Japan (2nd, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Samurai Japan unveiled a new performance. With two outs and a runner on first in the eighth inning, Kenya Wakatsuki (Orix Buffaloes) hit a timely doble to right-center field. Standing on second base, he made a cylindrical gesture with his right hand, supporting the bottom with his left hand, spinning the ball around twice, and then made a drinking gesture.

Is this a continuation of the "pepper mill pose" that became a national trend at the last tournament? The tea performance was something that pitcher Koki Kitayama Kitayama (Nippon-Ham Ham Fighters) came up with after Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) asked him to do something unreasonable during practice the day before. "I was so worried about it that I couldn't sleep, and I thought it was crazy," he said. However, Ohtani was hit in three At Bat and didn't get a chance to show it off.

The pose was devised with Japanese traditional culture, Kitayama's hometown of Kyoto, and Ohtani's appearance in a commercial for the beverage manufacturer Ito En's "Oi Ocha" in mind. The sentiment behind the pose was well received, but Kitayama commented that it hasn't caught on as well as it should, saying, "It just means I'm not that influential." "I think if Ohtani or Suzuki do it on the bases, it will spread like wildfire, so I'll just have to believe in that and wait. I'll be cheering for Ohtani to hit the ball and do it on the bases next, and I'll be looking forward to him doing it himself, as he was the one who started the conversation. I thought of it so hard, so I hope he'll do it," he said, expressing his hopes for his senior's hit and influence.

This was the first time that Kitayama and Ohtani played together. During the send-off game against Chunichi on the 27th, Kitayama sat next to him on the bench and greeted the team by saying, "I'm Kitayama from The Fighters," to which Ohtani responded, "You saying that now?!" It seems he has since become Ohtani's "favorite," as he was nominated to lead the team in the huddle before the game, something rare for pitcher. "Pitchers don't usually join the pitcher, so it was a bit of an important role, and I felt a bit sorry, but I was asked to do it, so I had no choice. I'm happy to be teased (because) I'm one of the most central players," he said, but it seems he is not planning any new performances.

Ohtani gave him a strict command to "think about it again tonight," but "of course I refused." However, Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) also hinted at a "restart," saying, "They'll probably change it again, right? It's a bit unpopular (laughs). I hope we can make it a bit more exciting."