Pacific League League Insight, the official web magazine for the six Pacific League teams, brings you videos of impressive plays from the 2025 season so you can enjoy Pacific League even during the offseason! It is updated daily from Monday to Friday with a theme for each day of the week!
Monday... Special feature on memorable "professional firsts and milestones"
Tuesday...Tense "shutout game and Firefighting" Special
Wednesday... baseball 's highlight! "home run" special
Thursday... You'll be amazed! "Fine Play" Special
Friday...A dramatic ending! "walk-off" special
Today, November 26th (Wednesday), Fukuoka Softbank Hotaka Yamakawa We look back at grand slam hit by players this season.
Immediately after his return, he hit bases loaded slam, bringing him closer to Kohei Arihara 's "most wins" record.
His first bases loaded slam of the season was against Chiba Lotte Marines on June 27th. Yamakawa struggled in June, hitting just 5 out of 30 At Bat hit for a batting average of .167 in 10 games, and was removed from the roster on June 16th. After being registered to the first team on the 27th, the first game after the interleague games, he started as the sixth batter and DH.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the top of the 8th inning, Kensuke Kondo hit a timely hit to give the team a 1-point lead. Yamakawa then stepped up to bat for the fourth time with the bases loaded. With count at 2-2, he perfectly swung at the fifth pitch thrown by pitcher Rikuto Yokoyama, a 154km/h fastball that came low. The ball flew straight into the back screen for his 10th bases loaded slam. His spectacular arc marked his comeback.
His second bases loaded slam came on August 15th against Chiba Lotte Marines. With the score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Yamakawa stepped up to bat with the bases bases loaded and two outs. He hit the first pitch from pitcher Koshiro Hiroike, a high slider on the outside corner, straight into the right-field stands. The team's main batter hit the winning home run, giving pitcher Haru Matsumoto, who pitched well, allowing only one run in seven innings, runs.
The final game of the regular season was against Chiba Lotte Marines on October 5th. With the score tied at 1-1 in the top of the 7th inning, Isami Nomura hit and walked two bases loaded, creating a favorable opportunity with the bases Hit by Pitch and two outs. Yamakawa stepped up to bat in the perfect situation. On the second pitch thrown by pitcher Kota Futaki, he hit a high, outside fastball to right-center field, which he deflected and landed straight into the right-field stands. He supported pitcher Kohei Arihara, helping Yamakawa win the most wins award for the third time in two years.
In his second year since the transfer, Yamakawa's performance this season was down from last season, with a Home Run runs, and 62 RBI in 130 games. However, he tied the record by hitting Home Run in three consecutive games in the SMBC Japan Series 2025, and was named MVP. Expectations are high for his performance next season, which will mark his 13th year as a professional.
Tomorrow, November 27th (Thursday), we bring you a special feature on "Fine Plays" that will have you groaning! We'll look back at the game on July 12th, where Orix 's Yuma Mune made his presence felt on both offense and defense!
