The managers of six professional baseball teams and the Pacific League held an online press conference before the start of the season, and ORIX manager NAKAJIMA Satoshi, who is aiming to win the Japan title for the second consecutive year, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to do my best to win back-to-back titles after my players."
The managers of the six Pacific League teams held an online press conference on the 6th ahead of the start of the season on the 27th of this month.
Coach Nakajima of ORIX, who is aiming to win three consecutive league titles and the top Japan for the second consecutive year, commented on his feelings ahead of the season, "The players are taking a step or two forward, so I want to do my best to win back-to-back titles.
In the Pacific League, Lotte's coach YOSHII Rihito and Seibu coach MATSUI Kazuo will take charge of the team from this season.
Coach Yoshii, who also served as the pitching coach for the Japan National Team at the WBC = World Baseball Classic, said, "I think many people learned about the joy of baseball at the WBC, so I want to make baseball fun for people who watch it so that it doesn't deflat."
Coach Matsui expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I think this is a step towards changing the team, so we will fight hard to finish the year."
In addition, Coach Takeshi Shinjo of Japan-Ham, who will play the league opener at the new stadium ESCON FIELD HOKKAIDO, said with a smile, "I think it is the best stadium in the world, so I would like to have young players come to watch the game once and play an active role there to liven up the baseball world.
The Pacific League will kick off on the 30th of this month, with Japan Ham and Rakuten facing off at ESCON FIELD HOKKAIDO.