◆Exhibition game: Seibu Lions vs. DeNA (21st, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions 's 2015 draft pick #5, infielder Sowa Yokota (Yamamura Gakuen), and their developmental draft pick #1, infielder (Hachioji Gakuen Hachioji), joined the first team on the 21st.

Yokota is a "Saitama native" from Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. When she was told she would be joining the group, she candidly revealed her feelings, saying, "Honestly, when I was told, I was surprised and really couldn't believe it."

He practiced before the game with Sosuke Genda infielder and others who participated in the WBC as regular short stop players. "I thought the softness of their handling was very different, so I want to bring that back to the game," said Wakamishi, his eyes shining. His family will be watching the game, and he said, "If I'm allowed to play, I'll try to show off my batting skills, which is my appeal point. If I get a chance to bat, I want to swing hard from the first pitch.

Arai, on the other hand, showed a fresh reaction, saying, "Yesterday I was called into the coach's room and told 'you're going to be on the first team,' and I thought it was a joke." When asked about practicing defense with Genda, Takizawa and others, he couldn't help but say, "Wow, this is intense." He added, "I want to learn from skilled players. Today during defense practice, I'll watch Genda-san and Natsuo-san's defense and practice so that I can take away some good ideas." He is determined to absorb everything.

Also, catcher Kaito Noda, who is in his fourth year as a professional, joined the first team on this day.