Hayato Sakamoto, who was the center of the offense and defense of the Giants in professional baseball and was converted from shortstop, which he had been defending for many years, to third, received a knock on the outdoor field for the first time since entering camp, and showed solid glove handling even in third defense. I was there.
On the 3rd, the third day of the Giants' camp in Miyazaki City, the rain had stopped in the morning, so the fielders practiced on the outdoor field for the first time since camp began.
Among them, Sakamoto, 35 years old and in his 18th year as a pro, is a defensive master who has won the Golden Glove Award five times as a shortstop, which he has been playing for many years, but at the end of last season he was converted to third, which has a relatively less defensive burden. I did.
Sakamoto is trying out a glove with a finger section that is about 5mm longer than the glove he has been using in the past, which is new for knockers, as he is more likely to be a batter than a shortstop, and is more likely to hit hard balls in the third field. While checking the feel of the glove, he showed solid glove handling and accurate throwing, such as converting a strong ball near third base with a reverse single.
Also, last season, he had a batting average of .288 and 22 home runs, and this season as well, he is expected to be a centerpiece, so when he bats, he tries to hit carefully and sends sharp balls mainly toward the center.
Sakamoto said, ``I'm really happy to be able to practice outside, and it was refreshing to play defense in the third team.I feel like I'm swinging the bat well, so I think I'll improve from now on.''
In addition, 8,000 fans visited on the 3rd, as it was the first day off since entering the camp, and an event commemorating Setsubun Day was held between practices, with manager Shinnosuke Abe giving a speech to the press, who himself dressed as a demon. They were throwing things at each other to liven it up.