On the 22nd, Orix Buffaloes announced that Joichiro Fujiwara of "Naniwa Danshi" will appear as a special guest at the game against Rakuten Eagles on August 3rd (Tokyo Dome). This will be the first game of the annual "Bs Summer Battle 2026" and the first official home regular season at the stadium in 17 years. The popular idol, known as a die-hard The Buffaloes fan, will take the mound to throw the special ceremonial first pitch.

On March 27, in the Rakuten Eagles game (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he threw the ceremonial first pitch at the home opener, marking his fifth consecutive year and bounce strike pitch. "Once again, we win the league and become number one in Japan. The Buffaloes As a boy, I'll do my best to support you!" and poured in plenty of 'joketsu' (long heat).