◆Pre-season game: Lotte 1-4 Orix Buffaloes (10th, Zozo Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes Kaisei Tomatsu pitcher (20) chose to go head-to-head. He took the mound in the eighth inning with a three-run lead and pitch one inning completely. First of all, it is an all-fastball to the leading Tatematsu. 3 pitches struck out in the air. From the second out, Yamaguchi also finished off with a swing struck out. A fastball from full count is the deciding ball. The fastest speed was also measured at 152 km, and he exuded a sense of fulfillment, saying, "I'm coming in good condition."

In the WBC Japan's send-off game Chunichi against the Banteling D on February 28, I played two innings runs as a support member of the Samurai Japan team. On the bench, I had the opportunity to talk with Yusei Kikuchi (Angels), who has 121 wins in Japan and the United States. He said, "It's important to have an attitude toward hitter. The other team doesn't like that at all," he said. He learned from his senior left fielder that "even if you have a name, if you throw your own ball, you can get closer it," and he embodied this in his mound pitch that day.

He is a player to look forward to both as a starter and a reliever. "He looked confident. He has the ability to pitch for long innings, so it's hard to decide," said manager Kishida, leaving him with a happy problem to ponder. He is in his third year since graduating from high school. He will continue to make an impression and lead to great success. (Nambu Shunta)