Chunichi Dragons

Morimichi Takagi expects players to work on their small ball skills, like moving runners over and doing the other little things that help improve a team's chances at scoring a run.

===

The Dragons announced that they assigned Toshiya Okada a new number: from 11 to 21 (Wei-Ying Chen's old number).

The number 11 was in turn given/returned to Kenshi Kawakami.

Nobumasa Fukuda's registered position was also changed from infielder to catcher.

===

Bullpen sessions:

Monday

Yudai Ono threw 33 pitches in the bullpen and later told reporters he was throwing at about 80%.  It was Ono's second bullpen session in Okinawa.  Ono also mentioned that Wei-Ying Chen gave him advice on how to use his lower body more effectively and that he was trying to release the ball about 10cm farther out in front of him.

Yakult Swallows

The Swallows visited Naminoue-gu Shrine in Naha on Tuesday and prayed for a successful season.

===

Ryoji Aikawa was named captain of the team.

===

Junji Ogawa's to-do list during spring camp (according to Sanspo):

1) have intense competitions at various positions to improve overall quality
2) development the next player to take over for Norichika Aoki
3) help the new foreigners get used to playing in Japan

Ogawa also wants to see his players to sell themselves more, especially with the departure of one of the team's most popular players.

Yokohama Bay Stars

Kiyoshi Nakahata arrived in Okinawa on Tuesday and attended a welcoming ceremony at Naha airport.  About 300 fans showed up.

Nakahata does not plan on taking any early morning walks during spring camp because the days are already long enough as is. ... Nakahata got a hair cut at his sister's beauty salon in Izumi Ward, Yokohama on Monday.  He told reporters he does not care if players dye their hair, wear earrings, and have facial hair, so long as they are presentable, with an emphasis on presentable. ... Nakahata plans to take advantage of the Yomiuri Giants' weak middle infield defense. ... Nakahata is aware that neither Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and Alex Ramirez are solid defenders.  But since he likes their offensive potential, he plans to work with both players during spring camp.

Regarding Tsutsugo: "We will work Tsutsugo hard on defense during spring camp."

Regarding Ramirez: "Ramirez is fast when he runs a straight line.  And while his main position will be in the outfield, I think working at an infield position will help him think more about his footwork.  I think it will also help him on offense."

===

Team owner Makoto Haruta accompanied the team to Okinawa on Tuesday.  He also attended the general meeting held at the player hotel.

===

 According to Nikkan Sports, the general meeting lasted about an hour.  Sanspo figures it lasted over two hours.

Kenshin Kawakami officially signed a one-year deal worth 30M yen, plus incentives, with the Chunichi Dragons today; he was also assigned the number eleven.

Nikkan Sports has posted comments from the press conference:

Your thoughts on returning after being away for three years...

I was away from the Dragons for three seasons.  I return full of energy, similar to the way I felt when I was a rookie.  I want to meet the rest of the players and staff.  I just want to do my best to pitch like I used, for the team and for the fans.

Your experiences in America...

There were good things and bad things.  I had a difficult time with the language, but it was a great experience.  Communication is important in both Japan and America.

What are your reasons for returning to Chunichi?

I could not forget about my teammates and Nagoya.  Players like [Masahiro] Yamamoto and [Hirokazu] Ibata told me they wanted me to join the team again and that was a deciding factor.

Your thoughts on the number 11...

I still has not sunk it.  It feels a little strange because other players were wearing it while I was in America.  I actually feel a pressured and want to do my best because I do not want to tarnish number.

Sanspo is carrying the following comments:

You are returning after being away for three years...

I have not stood on the field or thrown a ball yet so it still feels a little strange.  I want to hurry up and meet the players and staff members.

You spent three years in the US...

There were good things and bad things.  I had a tough time with the language, but it was good for [for me] for baseball.  I think communication is important in Japan and the US.

What is your impression of Chunichi right now?

I do not know the strengths of the individual players.  But it seems they run a tight ship.  I think the manager likes to play a tight game of baseball with a focus on defense.

How are you feeling?

I usually have some aches and pains at this time of year, or some uncertainties before the start of camp, but I do not have that this year.

On the start of spring camp...

I have something to show the staff, coaches, and manager.  I want to show them I can provide them with some security.

Kenshin Kawakami and Hitoki Iwase left for Okinawa out of Chubu International Airport today.  Kawakami is scheduled to officially sign a contract with the Dragons tomorrow.

===

Morimichi Takagi and team president Katsuhiko Sakai made stops at the Yomitan Village Office and the Chatan Town Office today.

The town of Chatan expressed an interest in throwing a championship parade for the Dragons (if they can win a Nippon Series championship or win the Central League), though nothing official has been discussed.

===

Victor Diaz took 45 swings during BP on Sunday and hit 11 over the fence.  He told reporters that he was hitting the ball at about 80%.

"[Diaz] is still pushing too hard.  I need to a see a little more of him.  At this point, I can not say whether or not he passed the tryouts," said Takagi.

The original plan was to decide on Diaz before the start of spring camp.

===

Ichi-gun pitching coach Hiroshi Godo told reporters he will most likely swap spots with Ni-gun pitching coach Shinji Imanaka for about three days during the second half of the second block of spring camp in order to get a better look at the talent in the organization.

===

Tony Blanco arrived in Japan from the Dominican Republic on Sunday and said to reporters, "I am an employee of the team.  My job is to do my best at the position [the team] gives me.  I just need to do my best.  That is all."

When asked if there was a possibility he might take another position, he replied, "I am a first baseman."

Regarding Takeshi Yamasaki, he said, "[Yamasaki] is a my friend.  He is a nice guy and he is a good friend."

===

Enyelbert Soto arrived at Chubu International Airport on Sunday and told reporters, "Starter, reliever, I do not care where I pitch.  I will pitch where ever they tell me."

===

Bullpen sessions:

Monday

Takuya Asao threw 46 pitches to a standing catcher.

The Chunichi Dragons unveiled their new uniforms for the 2012 season today.  Kazuki Yoshimi, Takuya Asao, Takehiro Donoue, and Naomichi Donoue modeled the new uniforms.

This is the first time in eight years that Chunichi has completely updated their look.  They are also based on uniform designs from 1954, the year they won a Nippon Series Championship.

A 2011 Central League Champions patch has been added to the right sleeve.

Chunichi Dragons

Morimichi Takagi observed players working out at Chatan on Sunday and told reporters he was not very impressed with what he saw.

===

The sixteen members of the coaching staff arrived in Okinawa on Saturday.  Pitching coach Hiroshi Gondo told reporters he saw Kenshin Kawakami as a possible replacement for Wei-Ying Chen.

Chen could get the heads up to start at Ichi-gun spring camp.

===

Takagi spent about 30 minutes watching Victor Diaz working out on Saturday and said, "[Diaz] has a nice easy swing and he has that strong upper body.  Not bad.  There is a chance he could end up being a bargain."

Takagi was also impressed with 1st round draft pick Shuhei Takahashi's bat speed.

===

Jorge Sosa told reporters on Saturday that Sammy Sosa is one of his relatives.

Yakult Swallows

Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi, Tsuyoshi Ueda, and Hitoshi Yamamoto did zazen meditation at Seiryuji Fudoin in Wako, Saitama on Sunday.

===

Orlando Roman worked out at Jingu Gaien on Saturday.  Workouts included playing catch and lifting weights.  He also had a chance to meet Ryoji Aikawa.

Roman plans to toss a bullpen session on the first day of spring camp.

===

Via Sanspo, Wladimir Balentien's advice to Lastings Milledge on what is necessary in order to succeed in Japan:

- Learn how to speak Japanese -- try to communicate without the use of an interpreter
- Be open and friendly with teammates and coaches
- Get used to eating Japanese food since fast food will not cut it

Sports Hochi and Sponichi mentions a slightly different list:

- Be open and be prepared to listen
- Develop good relationships with your teammates and other personnel
- Learn Japanese

Hanshin Tigers

1st round draft pick Hayata Ito hit a ball that traveled an estimated 115 meters (off a right-handed pitcher, toward right) during outdoor BP at Ginoza on Sunday.

===

Keiichi Hirano spent about an hour and a half visiting kids at Koniya Junior High School in Kagoshima on Sunday.

Hiroshima Carp

Bryan Bullington, Dennis Sarfate, Brian Barden, Kam Mickolio, and Nick Stavinoha spent some time speaking to the media at a hotel in Hiroshima on Sunday.

===

1st round draft pick Yusuke Nomura threw his 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday at about 50%.

===

Bullpen sessions:

Sunday

Yuya Fukui threw 22 pitches (11 from the wind and 11 from the stretch) in the bullpen (standing catcher).  It was his first session of the year.

Saturday

Ryosuke Ikenouchi threw 30 pitches (mostly fastballs) to a squatting catcher.

Yokohama Bay Stars

In addition to unveiling their uniforms for 2012, the Bay Stars also formally introduced their 2011 draft class on Sunday.  About 5,000 fans showed up.

===

Kiyoshi Nakahata tried to recruit Hideki Matsui again during a wedding party on Saturday and was told that he would have to wait five more years.

Chunichi Dragons

Morimichi Takagi checked out the Ichi-gun and Ni-gun spring camp facilities on Saturday.

===

1st round draft pick Shuhei Takahashi took 54 swings during outdoor BP on Friday and hit four over the fence.

===

The Dragons are planning seven things for fans during spring camp:

- Hand out training menus to fans that come
- Put up welcome signs around the facilities
- Doala will be present at all times
- Set up a Doala air tent for the kids
- Autograph sessions after practices
- Practice session tours conducted by members of cheer-leading team
- Fan participation during BP and practice games (ball boy/girl, player announcer)

Yakult Swallows

Orlando Roman and Dicky Gonzalez (YOM) have known each other since they were kids.  And it was Gonzalez that gave Roman information about playing baseball in Japan.

===

Lastings Milledge arrived at Jingu about two hours later than scheduled on Friday and only had about 40 minutes to workout (he arrived at around 3pm and the facilities were only available until at 4pm).  His reason: he had some problems getting his mobile phone.

Hanshin Tigers

Craig Brazell arrived at Kansai International Airport on Saturday and told reporters he felt like he was coming home.  He also said that there were days he spent two to three hours taking batting practice and that he worked on strengthening his lower body by doing things like stretches, Pilates, and yoga.

===

Atsushi Nomi tossed 33 pitches in the bullpen (squatting catcher) at Ginoza on Saturday.

===

Robert Zarate threw 35 pitches (fastballs and change-ups) in the bullpen (squatting catcher) at Naruohama on Saturday.

Yokohama Bay Stars

Alex Ramirez may have spoken to DeNA about a video game and commercial.  DeNA is also brainstorming ideas.

He also showed off his a new jig: point to the camera with his right hand, point to himself, then do an Usain Bolt pose, all while saying "Hama-no Rami-chan, zekkocho!"

===

Kiyoshi Nakahata was a guest at Okinawa Tourism Kick-off Project 2012: Okinawa Night in Tokyo on Friday.

Nakahata attended Iwakiyama's (sumo wrestler) hair-cutting (retirement) ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Saturday.

Nikkan Sports is reporting that the Chunichi Dragons have signed Kenshin Kawakami (36) to a one-year deal worth an estimated 30M yen.  An announcement of the deal could be made as early as today with a press conference in Okinawa on January 31 to [re]introduce Kakawami to the press.  He will join the team from there.

The Dragons are also said to be interested in Kosuke Fukudome (34).

UPDATE @ 12:45pm - According to Sponichi, Kawakami worked out with Masahiro Yamamoto in Tottori this winter and was throwing at about 80%.  Yamamoto also put in a good word with the team for Kawakami.

UPDATE @ 3:57pm - The Dragons apparently offered a one-year deal because they were concerned about his right shoulder.

"I spoke to [Kawakami] a little and he said he wanted to aim for more than 100 innings while pitching as a starter," said Takashi Ide (chief of team development).

Team rep Ryohei Sato added, "If his shoulder is good, we can stick him in the rotation.  We will take a close look."

UPDATE @ 4:43pm - Kawakami is scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on January 30.  He will then sign and be introduced on January 31.

UPDATE @ 8:17pm - Kawakami will get the number eleven.

UPDATE 1/29 @ 12:31am - The Dragons have posted an announcement at their team site.

Early training camp at Chatan Park Baseball Stadium in Okinawa started today.  Workouts lasted about three hours and included running, fielding practices, and BP.  Some players were also seen using the new "CD" batting helmets.

FYI: The new uniforms will be unveiled on January 30.

===

Morimichi Takagi arrived in Okinawa today.

===

Kazuki Yoshimi visited Chatan and Yomitan offices after practices today.  He told reporters on Thursday that he was thinking about tossing his first bullpen session some time during the second block of spring camp (he wants to avoid throwing more than he needs to).

===

Victor Diaz uses an 85 centimeter bat that weighs 907 grams.

Sanspo is reporting that the Chunichi Dragons will be giving right-handed pitcher Jorge Sosa (34) a tryout during spring camp in Okinawa.

UPDATE @ 9:42pm - Sosa is scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on January 28 and will begin preparations for a tryout sometime after January 29.

===

Career Stats

Chunichi Shimbun (here, here, and here), Nikkan Sports (here), and Sanspo (here) are reporting that the Chunichi Dragons are talking to Kenshin Kawakami (36) about a possible return to Japan.  The reports also indicate that it Kawakami reached out to Chunichi, which prompted them to submit an offer.

UPDATE @ 11:57pm - The Dragons are apparently waiting to hear back from Kawakami.  If negotiations go smoothly, he could join the team in time for spring camp.