◆ Mr. Ikeda: "Is it really possible to just go?" Mr. Sakaguchi: "It takes a lot of courage to come up with something like that."

Softbank Hawks win Lotte 8-3 on the 10th. In the third inning with two outs, third runner Ukyo Shuto successfully stole home, tying the game.

Shuto's first solo steal of home plate drew attention on Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 10th. Commentator Chikao Ikeda asked, "Lotte has been using their database quite a bit during this three-game series, moving their position depending on hitter. At this time, third baseman was positioned somewhere between third base and shortstop, which meant he had to take a big lead off the base. The third base coach apparently told him to go, but is it really possible to do that just because someone tells you to?" MC Tomotaka Sakaguchi replied, "It takes a lot of courage. It's a bit of a pitfall in the shift, and I think Softbank Hawks has been preparing for this kind of thing all along."

Another commentator, Kenichi Tanizawa, pointed out, "Since hitter was Yuki Yanagita, I had a feeling he might steal home. Because pitcher was left-handed, he was able to take an even bigger lead," and added, "There might have been a chance, something that was unpredictable."

Sakaguchi added, "I think that based on the team's data, pitcher 's timing for throwing was probably consistent, and they were able to make a shift at this point. I suppose it depends on whether they can make it, but it's really amazing that hitter had the courage to go for Yanagita, the courage to start." Tanizawa nodded in agreement, saying, "In terms of timing, it was an out."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"