The season for professional baseball begins on the 25th.
This is the first time in three years that the season will start without limiting the number of spectators.
The six Central League teams have made the final adjustments.
Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, the coach from this season, said, "I think there are good times and bad times, but I always look forward and try my best to win."
Hanshin-Yakult
Hanshin Fujinami "I want to go without hesitation"
Hanshin, aiming to regain the second place last season, will face Yakult, who won the number one spot in Japan last year, at Kyocera Dome Osaka.
Before the opening game, adjustments were made from around 0:30 pm on the 24th, and instead of pitcher Koyo Aoyagi, who was confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus, pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, who will be the opening pitcher for the second consecutive year, will play catch, etc. I went to prepare for the climb on the 25th.
Pitcher Fujinami said, "I may be nervous when it comes to tomorrow, but for now I was able to practice calmly. I want to go without feeling uncomfortable." It's a batting line, so I don't want to show any extra gaps. "
Teruaki Sato, who was selected as No. 4 from the opening in the second year, hit one after another over the fence in batting practice and showed a good finish.
Sato said, "Because No. 4 is an important batting order, I want to do my best to get good results. I want to stick to winning and win the championship."
Akihiro Yano, who will retire only this season, said, "Since the middle of the open game, we have had a good competition in throwing, so we were able to grow in that. We all want to win the championship as a proof that we are a good team." rice field.
Regarding pitcher Fujinami, he said, "I think I will be aware of it even if I don't think about winning. I want you to enjoy pitching as much as you can while feeling the honor of throwing in the opening game."
Yakult Ogawa "In a bullish posture"
Yakult players aiming to win the league title in a row and become the best in Japan for the second consecutive year made adjustments at Kyocera Dome Osaka on the 24th.
Yasuhiro Ogawa, who is the opening pitcher for the sixth time in a row for two years, did not practice pitching, but after checking the feel of the soil on the mound, he played in collaboration with the infield.
Pitcher Ogawa said, "I want to throw one ball at a time with a bullish stance while feeling the joy of being entrusted with the opening pitcher. I will do my best to win the team."
In the fielder, Munetaka Murakami, who won the home run king and league MVP last season, hit many hits over the fence in the batter practice, showing the good condition.
Director Shingo Takatsu expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I am very happy to be able to take command in front of a crowded customer for the first time as a director. I want to enjoy the opening race that has no choice but to win and finish."
Giants-Chunichi
Giants Kanno "I have a desire to be the best in Japan"
The giant, who aims to win the league title for the first time in two years and become the best in Japan for the first time in ten years, practiced for about two hours from 1:00 pm at Tokyo Dome, the home of the opening match with Chunichi.
In the batting practice, Kazuma Okamoto, who won the home run king and the RBI king last year, is in the outfield centering on the center direction while Hayato Sakamoto, who is the captain and the key player of the team's offense and defense, has hurt his left flank and is away from the battle line. He showed his presence by flying a number of hit balls over the fence.
Ace pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who was in charge of the eighth opening pitcher, which is the largest number of pitchers in the team alone, repeated a short dash, adjusted by long-distance pitching, and finally pitched a strong fastball and a changing ball, and pitched on the 25th. I was prepared for.
Pitcher Kanno said, "I've been away from the number one in Japan for 10 years, and I haven't become the number one in Japan since I joined the team, so I have a desire to go there."
Director Tatsunori Hara said, "We are building a team that can fight without Sakamoto, so I want the participating players to take a pinch as an opportunity. Fight with an indomitable spirit and fight with the idea of moving forward even in headwinds. I will continue to do so, "he said with enthusiasm.
Chunichi Ohno prepares for the opening mound
Chunichi, led by Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, practiced the day before the opening game on the evening of the 24th, and the players appeared on the ground with a tight look.
The opening pitcher was Yudai Ohno, an ace pitcher, who played catch in a large form to check his body movements and prepared for the opening mound for the first time in two years.
In the fielders who did not improve their results in the open game, Viciedo, the main player, and Takaya Ishikawa, the first opening 1st army in the third year, shot a sharp ball in a wide angle.
Yuki Okabayashi, who missed the last match due to an injury on his right hand, seemed relaxed and did the same menu as the other players.
On the other hand, Shuhei Takahashi was removed from the opening 1st army because he sprained his left leg.
Director Tatsunami said, "I'm feeling high. Looking at the players, I can see that the tension is increasing. I think there are good times and bad times in the long season, but I always look forward and win with all my strength. I want to go to Japan. "
DeNA-Hiroshima
DeNA Maki "Make people think this is different"
DeNA, aiming to win the league title for the first time in 24 years from the bottom of last season, will play against Hiroshima at Yokohama Stadium.
DeNA advocated "baseball to advance to the first base and score one point" from the camp, and as a result of aiming for a baseball that was conscious of the right direction even for the main players, the open game was finished in 3rd place and the finish was smooth. I'm showing it, and I'll be paying attention to whether the start dash will end in three consecutive battles with Hiroshima.
On the 24th, adjustments were made at Yokohama Stadium from 10 am, and pitcher Katsuki Azuma, who was the first pitcher in his fifth year as a professional pitcher, was preparing for a big role in running and catching.
Shugo Maki, who is scheduled to sit in 4th place in the opening round in his second year as a professional, hit the pitcher's ball in a wide angle with free batting and hit a sharp hit.
Maki was enthusiastic, saying, "In order to make people think that the BayStars are different, I want to stick to winning in the opening round, and I want to make a blow that can contribute to the team's victory as No. 4."
Director Daisuke Miura, who is entering the second season, said, "I feel that everyone is well prepared. To make the season so that the team can work together to make the team slogan" Yokohama Counterattack "from the bottom of last year. , Tomorrow wants to get off to a good start. "