◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham vs. Lotte (31st, ES CON FIELD)

Hiroki Tsuneya (infielder) of the Nippon-Ham—whose contract was announced on the 30th—held a press conference at Escon.

The rookie, who earned a spot on the main roster in his first year, smiled and said, "I was honestly very happy, and it was something I had set as a goal, so I was glad, but at the same time, I felt a strong desire to play on the first team stage as soon as possible."

Shinjo, the manager, informed him of his inclusion in the main roster via direct message after the final farm team game of the first half of the season against The Giants on the 23rd (at G-Town). The manager, who was present at the press conference, revealed that he had been impressed with Shinjo's batting since spring training, and said, "On June 20th, I sent him a direct message saying that if he hit 16 more home runs he would be on the main roster. I told him to hit them quickly. But actually, he can't sit here because he's only hit 15 (laughs). He's just one home run short, but he's starting at second baseman today, so I want him to show me that one home run right in front of me." He revealed that he would be putting him in starting line-up and expressed his high expectations.

Inspired by manager Shinjo's words, "I want him to get a starting position after being added to the main starting line-up, and ideally, stand on the victory podium," Tsuneya said, "As soon as it was decided that I would be added to the starting line-up, I received a direct message telling me that I would be in the starting lineup, so I have been practicing hitting trajectories of opposing pitcher in Kamagaya. I will do my best to hit my 16th home run today."