Practical batting practice was held at Chunichi's professional baseball camp in Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture, and Kenta Bright and Kojo Ukai, both aiming to be in the starting lineup in their third year, showed off by hitting two bases.
Last season, Chunichi's home runs and points were the worst among 12 teams, and they were at the bottom for the second consecutive year for the first time in team history.
With the need to improve the batting lineup, in the first actual batting practice held at this camp, Bright, who joined the team as the first draft pick in his third year, and Ukai, who joined the team as the second pick, took to the bat.
Of these players, Ukai caught a straight line of nearly 150km and hit a timely two base over the center, showing off his long-hitting ability.
Bright, who took the turn at bat when Ukai was on second base, responded to the curve and hit a timely two-base hit, showing off his results in the one at-bat given to the two players who are aiming to be in the opening team.
Ukai said, ``I'm glad I was caught in my first at-bat this year.In order to become a regular, I just have to keep hitting.I want to cherish every at-bat.''
Bright said, ``He wants to be a player that can be used in games, so in this camp, he is always trying to hit with an awareness of actual games.''