◇Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 's Daichi Suzuki, in his 15th year as a professional, has been appointed captain.

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles announced that Daichi Suzuki has been appointed captain. The team currently sits in 6th place with a record of 20 wins, 32 losses, and 1 tie in 53 games, 5.5 games behind 5th place (as of the end of games on June 2nd). Under the leadership of the 36-year-old veteran in his 15th professional season, the team aims to turn things around.

▼Comment from Dai Suzuki▼
"Although it's rather sudden, I've been asked by the coach to take on the role of captain. The team is in a difficult situation, and I don't expect anything to change immediately once I become captain, but now that I've taken on this role, it's not a position to give up on. I want to stand firmly at the forefront and ensure the team moves forward."

However, I believe that what I need to do will remain the same as before, so I will do my best as a player, and when I am unable to play in matches, I hope to be able to strongly encourage and support the other players. Thank you for your support."

◇Mizuki Yamashita of the Saitama Seibu Lions Lions throws the ceremonial first pitch.

On Wednesday, June 10th, during the Hiroshima match on Belluna Dome, Mizuki Yamashita, who plays the lead role of Akari Naruse in the play 'Naruse is Going to Take Over the Land,' will serve as the ceremonial pitcher.

Naruse Akari, the protagonist of 'Naruse Goes to Take the Throne,' is a somewhat eccentric middle school girl who wears a The Lions jersey and is about to close Seibu Lions the Otsu store every day. In 2024, the original author Mina Miyajima also challenged the ceremonial pitch in Belluna Dome. This time, Yamashita, who plays Akari Naruse, will pitch wearing a The Lions jersey just like in the story.

Including Wednesday, June 10, the 'Interleague Play Series 2026 - Kurojishi Funjin -' will be held on Tuesday, June 9~Sunday, June 14. Tickets for the day are now on sale.

▼ Mizuki Yamashita Comment ▼
" Belluna Dome is close to my hometown and I often have memories of watching games with my family as a child. I'm very happy to be able to pitch a ceremony! I'm sure you'll be nervous on the day, but I'll put my heart into every pitch! Please join us in your passionate support!"

▼ Mizuki Yamashita Profile ▼
Born July 26, 1999. He is from Tokyo. In 2016, she passed the third-generation audition for 'Nogizaka46'. She played a central role as a center fielder and graduated from the group with her graduation concert at Tokyo Dome in May 2024. From her time in the group to the present, she has appeared in numerous films and dramas and is active as an actress. His major appearances include the films 'The Fool's Identity,' 'Eating the Fire-Eating Bird,' 'Yamada-kun and Falling in Love at Lv999,' dramas such as 'New Tokyo Water Police,' 'Eye Love You,' 'Gekokujojou Kyuji,' and the NHK morning drama series 'Maiagegare!'. He also appeared as a guest voice actor in 'Detective Conan: The One-Eyed Afterimage.' She also works as an exclusive model for the women's fashion magazine 'CanCam' and as an MC for NHK E-Tele's 'Numa ni Hamatte Kiite Mita.' In July 2026, the film "Kingdom: Battle of the Soul" is also scheduled for release.

▼About the stage play 'Naruse Goes to Conquer the Country' ▼
The hugely popular novel 'Naruse Goes to Take the Country' and its sequel 'Naruse Walks the Path She Believed In,' which won the 2024 Booksellers Award and has sold over 2.1 million copies in the series, are adapted for the stage with original scripts. Set in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, the story depicts the protagonist Akari Naruse and the people who influence her. A star-studded cast, including Mizuki Yamashita, who plays the lead role Akari Naruse, brings the scenery of Otsu City to life on stage, faithfully recreating the world of the original work. This performance is scheduled for July 2026 in three cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Shiga, the setting of the story.

◇ Chiba Lotte Marines to open indoor stadium in 2034

Chiba City, Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd., and Aeon Mall Co., Ltd. have announced that they have signed an "Agreement Regarding the Formulation of a Basic Plan for the Reconstruction of Chiba Marine Stadium." Based on this agreement, the three parties will work together to develop a basic plan for the reconstruction of the stadium that will contribute to enhancing the value of the entire Makuhari New City area.

Up until now, Chiba City and Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd. have been considering the basic direction, including the type of stadium. They have also exchanged opinions with Aeon Mall Co., Ltd. regarding harmony with surrounding urban development and the feasibility of the project, and as a result, they have come to a shared understanding that they will proceed with considering a basic plan that envisions an indoor stadium.

Moving forward, we will consider the basic plan, and around March 2027, we plan to make a decision on whether to implement the project, formulate the basic plan, and proceed with basic design and other related work from April onwards. The facility is scheduled to open around 2034.

◇ Orix Buffaloes Keirin's Yusaku Kosei to throw out the first pitch

Keirin cyclist Yusaku Kosei will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Tokyo Yakult Swallows game at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Tuesday, June 9th. The game is sponsored by Kishiwada Keirin and will be held as "Kishiwada Keirin Night!". Girls Keirin cyclist Madoka Mukai and former Girls Keirin cyclist Misako Shirai will appear to present a bouquet of flowers.

▼Yusaku Kosei's Profile▼
Since his debut in 2011, he has consistently remained at the forefront of the keirin world, becoming one of its top superstars. He boasts nine GI titles and has won the prestigious "KEIRIN Grand Prix" twice. Furthermore, he has been crowned the annual prize money champion twice, and in 2024, he recorded an annual prize money of 383.11 million yen, setting a new record for the highest amount in the history of public sports betting. He is the "KING of the Keirin World," a source of pride for Osaka.

▼Comment from Yusaku Kosei▼
"I am once again nervous about taking on the important role of throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the second year in a row. I think I'll be more nervous before stepping onto mound than I am during any cycling race. I don't have any baseball experience myself, but I will put all my heart into the throw on behalf of Kishiwada Keirin, aiming to get the ball straight to catcher. I hope to make it a memorable first pitch that will make the game a wonderful one for Orix Buffaloes The Buffaloes players and fans."

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