◆Exhibition game: DeNA 5-2 Softbank Hawks (March 14, Yokohama)

Softbank Hawks Kenta Imamiya infielder He started the game at "No. 6, base hit" and hit .3 At Bat 2 hit including a double with one out in the second inning. He hit .364 (22 At Bat 8 hit) in the open game, ahead of his rival Isami Nomura infielder (29) who started at second base and hit .296 (27 At Bat 8 hit) in that game. Manager Hiroki Kokubo said, "With his typical hitting in the opposite direction. His condition is good. Originally short stop of defense is very stable. He's been hitting well and appealing to us. It's a good problem, there (opening short stop season)," he said, narrowing his eyes at the veteran's success.

Before spring training, Imamiya was instructed by the manager to compete with Nomura for the starting shortstop position, as well as to practice playing second and third defense. In a position where he needs to make an impression, he said with a determined expression as the season opener, less than two weeks away, "I just have to do what I'm given the opportunity to do. I have no choice but to do it. I have to hit, so I just have to produce results."

Nomura, on the other hand, has also emerged with a .270 batting average and 12 Home Run in 126 games in 25 years and is becoming an integral part of the batting lineup. At second base is the WBC representative and last season's leader hitter Taisei Makihara infielder (33). Not to be outdone is third baseman Ryoya Kurihara infielder (29), who hit a doble in his fourth at-bat, but his batting average in the open game was .203. In the fifth inning, with the tying run on second and third base with one out, he was hit by a pitch and struck out missed. Kokubo said, "I missed struck out when I was wondering if he would hit a second baseman golo at second and third base with two down. If it was during the season, that would be the reason we lost today. （If Kurihara's condition doesn't improve, and if Yu (Nomura) is in better shape, we have to think short stop of Imamiya and Yu at third base. I have not decided so at this point. I think he's a strong player and I'm sure he'll come up in the end," he said, urging excitement and even mentioning the possibility of Nomura at third base in the season opener.

If Imamiya is in the starting starting line-up at short stop for the opening day, it will be a new professional baseball record of 14 consecutive years. His 13 consecutive years up until last season puts him on par with legends such as Yoshio Yoshida, Takuro Ishii, Takashi Toritani, and Hayato Sakamoto.