Lotte's Akito Takabe, who changed number to "0" this season, played in 10 external games, posting a batting average of .286 (35-10), 1 RBI, 1 Walk, and 5 stolen base bases, and if we limit it to exhibition games, his batting average jumps to .350.

Last season, Takabe focused on swinging hard from August onwards, and his batting average rose to .337. In an interview after the season ended, he reflected, "I don't think it was everything, but there were a lot of positive aspects to it, and I think swinging hard has also helped me to develop some new strengths, so I think it's something that will have a positive impact on me going forward."

Looking ahead to the new season, it seems he plans to continue the "swinging hard" approach he has been working on since last summer, and add something extra to his game.

During his voluntary training period, he said, "Yes, I think there are many different ways to swing hard, but rather than just swinging hard, I'm now conscious of using my body well to hit the ball so that it flies strong.I'm using my body to the fullest, but rather than using all my strength, I'm trying to transfer the best power I can to the ball."

He also faced himself over the New Year's holiday and worked hard at training without taking a break. This attitude will not change at the Miyakonojo spring training camp. "I'm tired, but it's a good time to be tired, so I want to make sure I don't get injured. I want to push myself properly at a moderate level," he said. After individual batting practice, he took batting practice in outfield on ground, then returned to the indoor training facility for batting practice, putting in hard training.

During the Miyakonojo spring training camp, I noticed that while watching batting practice, it seemed like the way he used his left elbow had changed. When I asked him about this during the training camp, he told me, "I've stopped feeling like I'm taking a stance, and rather than taking a rigid stance, I'm being more playful and valuing the feeling of what's going on at the time, so each one may be different, but it may have changed a little."

Since the start of external matches, he has played in various batting order up until last season, but batting order first in eight of the nine games starting line-up has started so far. This season, he is expected to be a top batting player and lead the team throughout the season.

"I have to be prepared to do it, and as I'm approaching my 30s, it's time for me to produce results. I really want to go out and produce results and be able to do so. I think that in order to join the ranks of the top players, I'll have to keep building up from now on, so I want to keep building up year by year, day by day."

When asked what kind of season he wants to have this season, both personally and as a team member, he stated, "Personally, I want to be No. 1. I'm working hard thinking about what it would be like to be No. 1 in the baseball world. If I'm going to do it, I always want to be No. 1, and that's the same for the team. I'll do my best to aim for No. 1." If Takabe can perform well enough to achieve his goals this season of being the "leading hitter" and "most hit," it will create many opportunities. Takabe's base hits will lead to the team scoring, which will then lead to win.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita