Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Shumpeita Yamashita (23) expressed his eagerness to make his first appearance in a major international tournament on the 16th. He watched pitch of his former Orix Buffaloes teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers), who started in the WBC quarterfinal against Venezuela on the 14th (15th Japan time) at Lawn Depot Park in Miami, USA. "They're amazing," he said, showing respect for the opposing country that prevented Samurai Japan from winning again, and setting his sights on the world stage.

The 161 km/h right-hander was also among the finalists for this tournament. "Even looking at pitcher overseas, there are still many pitcher much faster. My average and top speeds are still inferior compared to the top level," he said, clearly acknowledging his current position. The Premier12 tournament is scheduled to be held in November 2027, and baseball will be reinstated as an official sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "I think the 'velocity' of my pitches is my weapon. I want to improve in many ways, including ball power and speed," he said, indicating his intention to further refine his already otherworldly fastball.

The day of the practice, he practiced on Maishima, Osaka, on a day off. The first time in 23 years, he is a candidate for the opening pitcher season for the second time in his career. The outlook for Shunpei Dai is bright. （Shunpei Dai has a bright future ahead of him.)