"I feel confident in how it drops, and I recognize it as a usable ball, so I hope to use it in matches."

Lotte's Atsuya Hirohata is feeling confident about his new fork.

In an interview in January of this year, Hirohata said, "It's a trade secret, but it's an interesting pitch. I have a pitch that I think I can throw, so if I can practice it a bit more and get the hang of it, I'm thinking of using it in a game." That pitch was fork.

In the practice game against Hiroshima on February 18th, he finished off Atsumu Nishikawa with a 2-ball, 2-strike, fork with a swing struck out without a runner in the ninth inning of 4-2, and then hit Ren Hirakawa with a struck out from 2 strike to fork.

In the 6th inning of the open game against Seibu Lions on March 15th, he inning struck out the lead Kazunari Ishii with a 130 kg fork throw from 1 ball 2 strike.

Regarding the fact that he's getting swings and misses with fork, Hirohata said, "Unlike my previous fork, it still sometimes slips, but the amount of movement it drops is downwards, so the batters are swinging at it. I think it's best if the arm motion is close to that of a fastball."

Regarding the speed of fork, he said, "I think it's around 130, but I think it doesn't have to be that fast as long as it drops. I think it's fine as long as I can throw it properly within my own zone."

Given that he got a lot of strikeouts with fork last year, is he planning to throw both the new fork and the fork he used until last season?

"Right now I'm only throwing my new fork, so if I hit a wall during the season or if it's not working well, I think I might change it. There are still some breaking ball I haven't thrown yet, and I'll gradually discuss them with catcher, and I think the coaches might suggest using them, so I'll keep them in my repertoire, and it's not like I'm not throwing them at all, so I hope I can make good use of them."

fastball was throwing for strength more than a speed gun in the Miyazaki Phoenix League last fall, but over the winter, he said, "When I threw a game, I didn't throw with speed in mind, and I'm the type of person who takes foul count with a straight, straight line against the hitter. Now I'm able to do that quite well, and my straight flies straight to the front, or when that's not good enough, it flies into the hit zone. I think my speed is only about 145 right now, but that is still flying straight in front of me, so as it gets warmer and the hitter gets better and better, I hope to be able to do the same pitch there. I'm getting a good response now," he said in a self-analysis.

I'm closer doing a good tempo with fewer pitches. strike I'm able to play in the zone more and more, and even if it comes down to one ball, I'm able to get him to hit it straight and compete, so I think that's where my pitch count is going down. I think I'm in control of that as well, so I think it's really good.

He is expected to continue producing results in order to make the opening day roster. "I don't think I can afford to give up Walk, so I want to make sure I showcase my strengths: control, rhythm, and my ability to closer outs in any situation. Of course, I'm aiming for the opening day roster, so I hope things go well." Until last season, he had produced results in the farm league but was unable to establish himself in the first team. With new manager Saburo in charge this season, he wants to continue to impress and secure a place on the first team.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita