The second season of professional baseball team Yakult's camp in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture began on the 6th, and Atsuya Furuta, who supported the team during its golden era as a catcher, joined as a temporary coach and immediately gave advice to the young players. I was sending it.
In an effort to make a comeback from fifth place, Yakult hired Furuta, who supported the team during its golden years as a catcher, winning the league five times and becoming number one in Japan four times, as a temporary coach for four consecutive years, and during his active years. Mitsuru Manaka, an active outfielder who led the team to the league championship in 2015 as manager, was also invited for the second time last year.
Mr. Furuta observed the batting practice of young players and spoke to Hideki Nagaoka, who played in 132 games as a shortstop last season and mainly stood at bat with the No. 8 bat, based on his experience of hitting the same No. 8 in 1991 and becoming the leading batter. , I was teaching the No. 8 batter, who hits in front of the pitcher, what the opposing catcher should be thinking about when distributing pitches, and how to target the ball.
Also, while registered as a catcher, Soma Uchiyama, a fourth-year professional player who played mostly as an outfielder last season due to his long-hitting ability, is aiming to become a regular catcher.
Mr. Furuta explained in detail how to use the mitt to stop a one-bound ball that strayed far from the pitcher.
Uchiyama said, ``It was a good day because I was able to absorb a lot of things.Last season, as a catcher, I had a lot of frustrating experiences with pitch distribution.I will absorb as much knowledge and technique from Mr. Furuta as I can, and I will be successful this season. I want to,” he said.
Mr. Furuta said, ``I talk to a lot of young players, and I think they have problems, so I want to give them as accurate advice as possible.''