The Japan National Baseball Team of the Tokyo Olympics made the final adjustments at the stadium in Fukushima City, the venue, before the first match on the 28th.
And it was announced that pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be the starting pitcher in Japan.
Japan made the final adjustments at the venue, Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium, on the afternoon of the 27th for the first match of the qualifying league against the Dominican Republic on the 28th.
The players were knocked on the ground to see how the artificial turf ball bounced, and the pitcher carefully checked the hardness of the mound.
After that, both Japanese and Dominican coaches met, and Atsunori Inaba announced that Orix's 22-year-old pitcher Yamamoto will start in the first match on the 28th.
Pitcher Yamamoto won the title with the highest ERA and the most strikeouts last year with a straight with a power of over 150 kg and a variety of changing balls. It was the top of the Pacific League.
Inaba said, "I have a strong ball and I will play the first game with young power. I am a starting pitcher in the tension of the first game, but I hope that he will pitch like Yunobu. I want to expect that. "
Pitcher Yamamoto, who entered the bullpen and practiced pitching, said, "Today I threw a good ball. Anyway, I want to throw my best toward the gold medal. I want to come and see you. "
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic coach has announced that the giant Mercedes will be the starting pitcher for the match on the 28th. Pitcher Mercedes is doing well this season with 5 wins and 1 loss and an ERA of 2.31.
The first match of the qualifying league between Japan and the Dominican Republic will start at noon on the 28th.