Giants Shohei Numata (21) will play a sidearm with a sidearm that he turned to in August last year. Last year, he pitched only two games in one army and had an earned run average of 7.71. Now off, I signed a re-contract as a training player. With the determination and challenge of backwater, 22 years will be the year of awakening, which is the 4th year of high school graduate.

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“I’m not a bad pitcher for batters. Why not change to the side?” At the end of August last year, the reason for the side shift was the words of Operation Abe and Defense Chief Coach, who was the director of the 2nd Army. It touched my heart. I always wanted to be a bad pitcher for batters. There was no hesitation anymore. “I’ve always put out my best and played as much as I can with what I have. So I didn’t hesitate. Being able to recommend the side means that there was something that would be a plus,” he immediately decided on a new challenge. .. The pride of the top throw, which won the pro and promotion under control, was also irrelevant.

Of course, there are difficulties. The foam does not freeze. The timing of release and the timing of putting effort are completely different from the top throw. An unknown world with no experience. I asked my seniors and searched for hints for growth. Former giant who retired in the 20th season, Seiji Tahara, a right sidearm thrower, sent a video for advice and consulted frequently. After joining the pro, he turned to the side and awakened, and Oe, who had settled in the 1st army, was taught the deciding ball slider. There was a time when I suffered from a difference in sensation, but I was convinced. The fastest has risen to 145 km, which is close to 149 km in the era of throwing.

I am enjoying the days full of possibilities. It’s been about 4 months since I turned to the side. The degree of perfection is still “about half”. It is natural that you cannot do it. That is why I have come to open up in a good way. “I can take a step back and think on the premise that I can’t do it. I don’t feel depressed because I wonder why I can’t do it.” There was a change in my mind. There is no confusion there. There is to get better, to survive-. “It’s just going up. New challenges are interesting. I discover every day. It’s insanely fun right now.” I returned to the baseball boy who desperately chased the white ball. I spend my days facing baseball with pure feelings.

Survive in a severe professional world. There are many things I want to do and what I have left behind, whether it’s my first professional victory or the triumphant pitching in my hometown of Hokkaido. I can’t finish it like this. “Numata is still getting stronger! I’m still in a fighting pose!” It will be a year to prove the value of one’s existence by putting all one’s heart into it.[Giants charge = Soichiro Kobayakawa]