◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Orix Buffaloes vs. Yakult (June 9th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Yusaku Kosei (35) from Keirin = Osaka, 100th class = performed a special pre-match ceremonial first pitch. On June 3, 2023, in the Hanshin Tigers game against Lotte (Koshien), he delivered a brilliant no-bounce pitch. On June 10 last year, in the Orix Buffaloes game against DeNA (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he also neatly landed it in Wakatsuki's mitt. This day marked his third major role in two consecutive years. He also succeeded in a no-bounce pitch against Wakatsuki, smiling as he said, "I thought I had gone into a dangerous spot... I'm glad I barely made it."

Yakult game that day was billed as "Kishiwada Keirin Night!", and the Kishiwada Velodrome in Osaka is scheduled to host the G1 "77th Takamatsunomiya Memorial Cup" (June 16-21) and the G1 Girls Keirin "4th Pearl Cup" (June 16-18). Kosei said with conviction, "Professional baseball is really glamorous, and the production is amazing. I want to work hard to get in shape for that (tournament) and do my best."