Yakult, who aims to win the Central League for the first time in the history of the professional baseball team for the third consecutive time, launched a camp in Okinawa, and manager Shingo Takatsu said, ``There are still some parts that are not enough, so we will have a good time so that there is nothing left to do until the opening. I want to spend it," looking ahead to the opening of the season in a month.
On the 27th, Yakult celebrated the final day of the camp in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, and performed a light menu such as free batting for about an hour and a half.
After the practice, the players and leaders formed a circle around the mound, and pitcher Yasuhiro Ogawa, who serves as the player's chairman, said, "If each and every one of us continues to have a passion and love for baseball, and perseveres in taking on challenges, the team will grow. Let's win this year and win the championship in Japan," he said, expressing his determination to win the league for the third time in a row and become the best in Japan.
Then I put my hands up and finished the camp which lasted for about a month.
Coach Takatsu said, "There were some regrets about having some people injured, but I could feel the young players' attitude of working hard and trying to get better. There are things left unfinished, but the players' growth. I was able to see them and had a good camp,” he said.
He also mentioned the names of veteran pitchers Masanori Ishikawa and Norichika Aoki as players who stood out at the camp, saying, "I think I rely heavily on Ishikawa and Aoki. When I saw them doing it, I felt that they were pulling the team,” and talked about the high level of trust in the two people in their 40s.
On top of that, he looked ahead to the start of the season, saying, ``There are still many things that are lacking, so I want to spend a good time so that I can welcome the next month in good shape and not leave anything unfinished.''