Seibu Lions announced on March 5 that Ms. Mitsuki Ono, a native of Saitama Prefecture and a representative of Japan's women's snowboarding halfpipe team, will be the guest of honor at the home opener on March 31. This is the first time that Ms. Ono will take the mound for the first pitch of a professional baseball game.

Also at the home opening ceremony on the same day, Shinya Kiyozuka, an avid The Lions fan and one of Japan's leading pianists, attended and performed a live rendition of "WE ARE ONE," a song he composed for The Lions, and the national anthem, "Kimigayo."

"WE ARE ONE" has been used by players when they run onto ground since the 2021 season. It is a powerful song that evokes the image of fast-paced, speedy baseball, as well as the unity of the team and the excitement of baseball.

▼ Mitsuki Ono

"Hello, The Lions fans. I'm Mitsuki Ono. I'm very happy to have been invited to pitch on this special day, the home opening game of Saitama Seibu Lions a baseball team from my hometown of Saitama! This will be my first time throwing the first pitch, so I'm a little nervous, but I'll do my best to throw it as I please and enjoy it to the fullest!"