Chiba Lotte Marines announced that former player Shunsuke Watanabe will serve as ambassador for "CO-FIELD KIMITSU," a project promoted in collaboration with Kimitsu City.

The project name "CO-FIELD KIMITSU," from the "(Provisional Name) Sadamoto Comprehensive Park Development Basic Plan" announced by Kimitsu City in July of this year, embodies the idea of "a place created together." Taking advantage of the relocation of Chiba Lotte Marines 's farm team home field, the new farm facility aims to become a training base that supports the growth of players, while also becoming a hub for future urban development, a place that is familiar to local residents and where many people can gather and interact.

As an ambassador, Mr. Watanabe will promote the project's philosophy and appeal both within and outside the city, and will also conduct PR activities for the project through appearances at events. He commented, "I am deeply honored to be involved in 'CO-FIELD KIMITSU,' a regional revitalization project for both Kimitsu City, where I was supported as a player and coach at Nippon Steel Kazusa Magic, and The Marines, where I spent my professional career. I will do my best to convey the appeal of this project to everyone in a more accessible and understandable way."

▼"CO-FIELD KIMITSU" Ambassador Overview▼
• Appointment period: August 18, 2026 – March 31, 2027
*Unless the individual requests to decline, the term extra inning for one year.
• Main activities: Promoting the project's philosophy and appeal, and participating in events.

▼Shunsuke Watanabe's Profile▼
Born in 1976 in Tochigi Prefecture, he played for Nippon Steel Kimitsu before joining Chiba Lotte Marines in 2001. Armed with his underhand pitching style, which was described as "the lowest in the world," he contributed to the team's championship in 2005 and achieved consecutive victories in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006 and 2009 as a member of the Japanese national team. After leaving Chiba Lotte Marines, he played in overseas leagues and became a coach for Nippon Steel Sumitomo Metal Kazusa Magic (now Nippon Steel Kazusa Magic) in 2015. He served as the team's manager from 2020 to 2025.