Seibu pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi will be the opening pitcher for the third consecutive year in the season opening game at the end of next month.
"I'm asking for the opening!" Large chocolate cake
This was announced by manager Kazuo Matsui on the 14th at the Seibu camp site in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
When coach Matsui revealed that after the morning practice menu was over, he gathered players on the ground and decided to pitch Takahashi as the opening pitcher. I handed a big chocolate cake to pitcher Takahashi.
Pitcher Takahashi pitched in 26 games last season and won 12, placing him second in the league.
The opening pitcher will be 3 years in a row.
In the actual practice that took place after this, he pitched while confirming the new pitching form that reduced the take-back that he has been working on this season, and hit a grounder in his first at-bat against WBC Japan representative Sosuke Genda. I let
In the second at-bat, he allowed a hit to the left field, but after practice, pitcher Takahashi said, ``I was strong, but I had straight speed, and I was able to throw all types of pitches, so I felt good. I felt it," he said.
Regarding the opening pitcher for the third consecutive year, he said, "Matsui said, 'I'll leave it to you,' so I feel a sense of responsibility as the opening pitcher, and I can make a good start to make the team the best in Japan. I want to do my best,” he said enthusiastically.
Manager Matsui said that he told the opening pitcher at 1:00 pm (13:00) 13 minutes 13 seconds on the 13th, after Takahashi's jersey number "13". I decided to go with `` Mitsunari '' this year when I saw the appearance of ``.
Seibu's season opener will be held on the 31st of next month at the Belluna Dome, home of Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, where they will face Orix, who won the best in Japan last season.