◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 11-0 Seibu Lions (August 1st, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks won by a large margin and maintained their lead in the standings. Sasaki, whom they selected as their first overall pick in last fall's draft, was in attendance at the game, and manager Hiroki Kokubo reportedly spoke with him directly before the match.

On that day, Sasaki attended a meeting and dinner with team executives and also toured the facilities at Mizuho PayPay Dome. Manager Kokubo, who met Sasaki for the first time before the game, smiled as he revealed their exchange, saying, "We met briefly. I said, 'Nice to meet you.'" The manager also mentioned that he had seen Sasaki play at the 2023 Summer Koshien, and seemed impressed by Sasaki's clear and articulate responses, saying, "I was surprised that a 21-year-old could give such impressive answers. He was able to organize his thoughts and feelings and put them into words so well."