At Softbank's Miyazaki professional baseball camp, newly-joined player Hotaka Yamakawa took part in free batting outdoors for the first time, and showed his high level of skill by distinguishing between liners and home runs.
In his 11th year as a professional, the 32-year-old Yamakawa has won three home runs and one RBI, and exercised his free agent rights to join Softbank from Seibu.
Softbank's camp in Miyazaki City is now on its third day, and Yamakawa has played free batting outdoors for the first time.
For his 23 swings in the first half, Yamakawa continued to hit low liner shots from the center to the opposite direction.
In the second half, his 23 swings took a turn and he switched his aim to go over the fence, hitting 13 of them, including four in a row, to the cheers from the stands.
Yamakawa said, ``It's important to be able to hit home runs repeatedly.I'm glad that I was able to make solid contact today.I think if we practice rationally, we'll be able to prepare well for the open game and the season.'' I was there.
Regarding the camp he is having with his new team, he says, ``I wish I could get used to it quickly and find my own pace, but I haven't found it yet.The best adjustment is to not think too far ahead and just take it one day at a time.'' I think so,” he said.