Rakuten's main player Hideto Asamura has been trying to convert to the third position. Asamura, the mainstay of the team that won the home run title last season, had previously played in the second position.
Coach Toshiaki Imae wanted him to 'always be in the game', so he moved to the 3rd position. He also showed new skills in the cooperative play between the pitcher and infielder, which was performed for the first time in this camp.