Softbank Hawks

Koji Akiyama visited the Saitozaki training facilities today to watch player workouts.

1st round draft pick Nao Higashihama threw thirty-one pitches in the bullpen.

Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013

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The 2012 draft class got their physicals on Tuesday.  Higashihama learned that while the inner muscles in his shoulder were top quality, everything else about him was at an amateur level.  If Ichi-gun starting pitchers score about a nine out of eleven on a scale that rates players on their conditioning (strength, physical ability), he is a 3.5.  3rd round draft pick Tomoki Takata (Asia University teammate) scored a 6.5.  Source: Sports Hochi 1/24/2013

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Higashihama likes to wear black-rimmed glasses every now and again to change things up a little.  He borrowed Ikusei 3rd round draft pick Yuya Iida's glasses during his day off on the 22nd (fake lenses).  Source: Nikkan Sports 1/24/2013

Seibu Lions

Masamitsu Hirano tossed a bullpen session to a squatting catcher on Wednesday.  It was his second in as many days.  Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013

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3rd round draft pick Yuji Kaneko has already received about two boxes of fan mail.  He is doing his best to answer as many as possible.  Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013, Sponichi 1/24/2013

Orix Buffaloes

Alessandro Maestri arrived at Kansai International Airport today.  Source: Daily Sports 1/24/2013

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Steve Hammond arrived at Kansai International Airport on Wednesday.  Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013

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The Buffaloes held a press conference for Hammond, Vinny Rottino, and Brandon Dickson at Hotto Motto Kobe today.  Source: official announcement

Rakuten Eagles

The Eagles announced that Senichi Hoshino will be at the press conference for Andruw Jones, Casey McGehee, and Takashi Saito on the 29th.  Fans that attend will receive free stickers featuring the three new additions.  Limited edition t-shirts will be available for sale.  Source: Nikkan Sports 1/24/2013

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Saito trained at Kleenex Stadium today for the first time since he signed with the team.  His workouts included playing catch, running, and weight training.  Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013, Daily Sports 1/24/2013

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Hisashi Kawata's registered position will change from catcher to infielder.  Source: Sanspo 1/24/2013

Chiba Lotte Marines

Ikuhiro Kiyota started training at QVC Marine today.  During indoor batting practice, he took about 200 swings at baseballs that were tossed from a distance fifteen meters closer than the mound.  Source: Nikkan Sports 1/24/2013

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Pitchers will apparently run about ten kilometers a day during spring camp.  Source: Daily Sports 1/24/2013