Seibu Lions Manaya Nishikawa outfielder vowed on the 25th to make a rocket start to the season on the strength of their alma mater Hanasaki-Tokuei's strong showing in the Senbatsu Tournament.

His enthusiastic tone conveyed his excitement directly. "It's amazing. I want to hit that well." On this day, he participated in the team practice held at ZOZO Marine Stadium, adjusting his batting practice and other drills. Just before that, his alma mater had scored 17 hit 14 hits to advance to the quarterfinals, and he smiled, saying, "Of course it's motivating. I'm happy."

In the opening game against Nippon-Ham on March 28 last year (at Belluna Dome), he started as the "number 2 hitter and center fielder" and had a solid performance with 3 At Bat 4 at hit. He played in a career-high 124 games, finishing the season with a batting average of .264, 134 hit, 10 Home Run 38 RBI. As he enters his ninth professional season this year, he says with a bright expression, "I'm in good shape." "I'd be happy if I could win a multi-hit game or something, but first of all, I want to get one hit in every at-bat in every game. (Last year) I had a really good start. I want to start like that again." The season is about to begin. He is fully prepared.