Yuhei Nakamura (32), a regular catcher of Yakult who contributed to the league's second straight victory.



This time, he was selected for the first time to represent Japan in the WBC (World Baseball Classic), and as the oldest fielder, he is expected to play a role in leading the team aiming to become the best in the world.



To that end, what Nakamura thinks is necessary now is "smile" and "communication".


(Sports News Department Reporter Shohei Matsuyama)

Brightness and "Smile" at WBC

In February this year, Yakult's camp, which won the league title in a row, was full of energy.

Among them, Mr. Nakamura was the one who had a particularly big smile and raised his voice to excite those around him.



Whether he's receiving a pitcher's ball in the bullpen or repeatedly throwing in individual defensive practice, he's always bright and his voice is inspiring.

(Yuhei Nakamura)


“Catcher is a position where everyone is watching, so if I am depressed there, the whole team will be dark. I want to continue that in the WBC, and I don't want to change myself just because the team changes, but if I can express myself as it is.

The origin of "Smile" is a legend

Nakamura started playing with this mindset because of a comment from a Yakult legend at the 2021 camp.

Mr. Atsuya Furuta, who supported the golden age of Yakult as a catcher.



Mr. Furuta, who came to the camp as a temporary coach, advised him, "Don't look down or feel naive."



(Yuhei Nakamura)


“I was easily discouraged and had negative thoughts, but I began to think that I had to change myself. It made me feel better, and I realized that if I do my best, the team can win.

“It’s almost my first time” at an international competition. Advice from seniors

Nakamura will celebrate his 15th year as a professional this season.

So far, he has won the Best Nine and Golden Glove Awards three times, and has a strong lead and strong shoulders.

However, I don't have much experience in international competitions.



Although he was selected for the Japan national team in the 2015 Premier12, he did not appear in the starting line-up.

One of the people Nakamura consulted for “almost the first international competition” was Motohiro Shima, Yakult's battery coach and strategy assistant.



At the Premier 12 in 2015, when Nakamura was selected as a member, Coach Shima, who was a regular catcher for Rakuten at the time, served as the captain of the Japan national team.



Based on his own experience, Coach Shima told him two important attitudes at international competitions.



One is that all catchers should learn the names and characteristics of the opposing batter, and cooperate with the catchers on the bench to keep the batter in check.



And the other was "Reed who leaves no regrets".

(Coach Motohiro Shima)


"It's really scary to sign one ball at a tournament where the public is paying attention. I'm really nervous, like, 'What should I do if I get hit?' You can't regret it, so if you study hard, analyze the batter, and sign each pitch without regret, you'll think ``I've done it''. I told him to have a basis for each ball.”

To bring out the characteristics of the pitcher

In order to lead without regrets at international tournaments, Nakamura says that the most important thing is to bring out the best of the pitcher's characteristics.

(Yuhei Nakamura)


“In a season, the same team and batter will play many times, and tactics and reading are important, but in WBC there are cases where you only play once.The most important thing is the pitcher. I think it's about bringing out the goodness of the battery as a catcher."



To that end, communication between batteries is essential.

Major league players such as Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani also participate, and many pitchers are forming batteries for the first time.



I think it is important to receive as many balls in the bullpen as possible before the WBC show and to communicate our opinions.

(Yuhei Nakamura)


“I have my own opinion, and I think the pitcher also has an opinion, so if I can clearly convey 'I want to do this', I think they will open up. I think it would be best if we communicated with each other by sharing our thoughts, instead of becoming one."

“I really want to win the world championship”

The brains behind Yakult's consecutive league wins are now looking to become the world's number one.

Taking advantage of the advice from seniors, we will aim for the top with "smile" and "communication".



(Nakamura Yuhei)


“Many major league players will participate in the tournament, and it is attracting a lot of attention from around the world.Among them, Japan is said to be the strongest in history, and it is natural to win, so I want to leave a result. But being able to compete in a tournament that puts so much pressure on me is a great asset, and I really want to win the world title.”

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