Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa (32) vowed on the 3rd to pitch in a Nankai uniform to give the team momentum towards a third consecutive championship. The game against Nippon-Ham on the 4th (Kyocera Dome) will be held as the "Nankai The Hawks Replica Night in Osaka". The team will wear a replica of the uniform used by the Nankai Hawks, the predecessor of the current team, which was based in Osaka (Osaka Stadium), from 1959 to 1968. The right-hander, who has been entrusted with the starting role, said, "Only Nankai has achieved three consecutive championships. I think it's a lucky uniform. We are also aiming for a third consecutive championship, so I hope to be able to pitch well by drawing on the strength of our predecessors."

The team is leading the league and aiming for its first three-peat in 60 years, a feat not achieved since Nankai did it from 1964 to 1966. The magic number could be clinched as early as the 5th.