Chiba Lotte Marines' Yuki Karakawa retires from active play; retirement ceremony to be held on October 3rd

Chiba Lotte Marines announced that pitcher Yuki Karakawa will retire from active duty at the end of this season. Furthermore, the retirement ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 3rd, during the game against Fukuoka Softbank, with details to be announced as soon as they are decided.

Pitcher Yuki Karakawa joined Chiba Lotte Marines as the first-round pick in the 2007 high school draft. He supported the team for many years as a cornerstone of the starting rotation, achieving victories for 15 consecutive years starting from his rookie year. However, since 2023, his appearances were limited to 10 games or fewer in the first squad, and in this, his 19th professional season, he has been adjusting in the farm team since his start in the first squad on May 30th.

▼Comment from Pitcher Yuki Karakawa▼
"I have decided to bring down the curtain on my 19-year career as an active player at the end of this season. While I have been unable to contribute to the team as much as I would have liked in recent years, I entered this season with determination, and after facing myself, I reached this decision. In the harsh world of professional baseball, I feel there were more times when things did not go well. Even so, being able to play for 19 years while being supported and cheered on by so many people is a great asset of mine. In particular, I received courage from the fans many times.

I still vividly remember the great cheers and the heart-trembling emotion I felt during my first appearance at Marine Stadium in my rookie year. I feel lonely that I will no longer be able to experience those cheers on the mound, but I want to turn the support I have received into strength and walk my future life in my own way. I feel truly happy to have been able to play for the Chiba Lotte Marines for 19 years. To everyone who has supported me until now, thank you very much."

Orix Buffaloes' Sho Fukunaga suffers a bruise to the left side of his head

The Orix Buffaloes announced that Sho Fukunaga was examined at a hospital in Osaka City and diagnosed with a bruise (partial laceration) on the left side of his head. He plans to continue practicing while monitoring the condition of the affected area. Fukunaga was substituted due to injury during defense in a farm game against The Giants on Tuesday, September 1st.

Fukuoka Softbank signs a mutual cooperation agreement with Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd.

Fukuoka Softbank signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd. on September 1 (Tue), with the aim of promoting Fukuoka's charms, boosting tourism, and increasing the value of both Fukuoka Airport and Fukuoka Softbank.

As the first initiative following the signing of this agreement, welcome decorations within Fukuoka Airport, the installation of a Fukuoka Softbank exhibition corner, and public viewings of Fukuoka Softbank Hawks games are planned, and further measures will be implemented in the future while leveraging each other's resources and strengths.

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