On September 14th, Ginji, Yuji Kaneko, and guest Takayuki Kajitani appeared on "Monday is also for Pa-Tele" on the PERSOL Pacific League TV official YouTube channel. In the latter half of the program, they checked the current status of the Pacific League title race, and Kaneko and Kajitani, who have both been stolen base kings, talked about stealing bases.

Currently, the Pacific League stolen base king is Ukyo Shuto with 28, with a 10-base lead over second-place Yudai Shoji. Kaneko and Kajitani, who have won the stolen base title in the past, have also experienced intense title races and looked back on their feelings toward their rivals and teammates who were pitchers at the time.

Then, a comment arrived from a viewer saying, "Even though the Orix Buffaloes have fast players, they have few stolen bases," to which Kajitani replied, "Stealing bases is packed with technique." He said that just being fast doesn't mean you'll succeed, and daily research is also important.

Kajitani continued, "Stealing bases really shows your personality." Kaneko agreed, developing his own theory: "In the first place, if you don't think 'I'm going to run,' you won't run, right? If you don't think about making a move, you won't even start. Maybe there are actually few players who aim to become the stolen base king."

Ginji, who was not the type to steal bases during his active career, mentioned the courage to run while being watched closely. However, Kajitani said, "We have a screw loose. I thought it was fine even if I was picked off," and Kaneko also shared his unique perspective that getting out on a stolen base or ruining a chance by being struck out are both the same. Kajitani concluded, "It sounds bad, but you can't do it unless you're 'self-centered.'"

Regarding the question from a viewer, "Why are stolen bases decreasing in NPB as a whole?" Kajitani and Kaneko shared the common view that it lies in the "quick." Kaneko, saying "The battery's technique has improved significantly," answered that it might be becoming harder to run due to the improvement in pitchers' quick motions and catchers' throwing techniques.

LIVE Streaming Program "Monday is also for Pa-Tele"
・Streaming Date: Every Monday from 21:00 (Scheduled to stream until October during the season)
・Streaming Platform: PERSOL Pacific League TV official YouTube channel
・Performers: A pair of professional baseball alumni appearing on a weekly rotation
(Ryota Igarashi & Sho Nakata / Ginji & Yuji Kaneko / G.G. Sato & T-Okada / Motonobu Tanishige & Tomoya Satozaki)

The next broadcast on Friday the 18th is scheduled to feature G.G. Sato, T-Okada, and guest Toshiaki Imae. Don't miss it!