◆Pre-season game Softbank Hawks Yakult (5th, Mizuho PayPay)

After starting as the third batter and third baseman in the game against Yakult on the 5th, Softbank Hawks 's Ryoya Kurihara donned the mask in the 5th inning and caught pitches from second-string pitcher Ito. This will be his first time playing catcher in an external game since the game against Seibu Lions on April 4th, 2021 (PayPay Dome). Before the game, he put on protective gear and practiced with the other catcher. CBO Jojima commented, "It looks good on you."

Kurihara joined the team in 2014 as catcher, selected in the second round of the draft. From 2020, he mainly played outfield, and his last appearance as catcher was in 2021. From 2023, his main position became third base.

The reason he initially gave up on catcher was because there was already a solid starting catcher in Takuya Kai. Manager Kokubo met with him at the beginning of spring training in February and confirmed that he still had a desire to catcher. As preparation for the time when he might need it as an option, they decided to explore the possibility of a highly offensive lineup, and he began practicing as catcher.