The Seibu Lions held a press conference for Shigenobu Shima at Seibu Dome today.  He was also assigned the number 42.

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Takeya Nakamura has been testing a few bats of different weights (between 920 grams and 940 grams) since spring camp.  He used a 930 gram bat on Tuesday.

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Yusei Kikuchi has been dropping his left elbow down and opening up too early.  And while he is getting getting extra looks at Ichi-gun because the team is concerned about Takayuki Kishi's right flank problems, there is no set timetable on when he will pitch at the Ichi-gun level again.

Yusei Kikuchi, Fumiya Nishiguchi, Kazuhisa Makita, and Kazuhisa Ishii worked out at Seibu 2 Stadium today.

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Takeya Nakamura is good at hitting home runs on special dates:

• he once hit a homer on his wife's birthday (September 10) four years in a row
• he hit a homer on his one-year wedding anniversary (July 8, 2009)
• he hit a homer on his first child's birthday (July 22, 2009)
• he also hit a homer immediately after the moment of silence that was taken during Sunday's game

Nakamura has never hit a home run on his own birthday though.

Today's practice game against the Orix Buffaloes at Hotto Motte Kobe (Lions 4 - Buffaloes 4): Tatsuya Oishi started the game and allowed four runs on six hits over four innings of work. [Sanspo] ... Hideto Asamura hit a two-run homer to left in the 2nd inning. [Seibu Lions]

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Shogo Akiyama returned to Tokyo (from Kobe) today because of some discomfort in his left hamstring.  He will begin workouts at Seibu 2 Stadium on Friday.

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Takeya Nakamura did not taking bating batting or fielding practice today after twisting his left ankle during an exhibition game against the Rakuten Eagles on Wednesday.  He did not play in today's practice game against the Orix Buffaloes, but is expected to play in the charity game on March 10.

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The Lions announced today that Kimiyasu Kudo will be a guest at Seibu Dome on April 7 (vs Softbank) and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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Fumiya Nishiguchi was not scheduled to toss a bullpen session today but did in order to go over his mechanics.

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Takeya Nakamura hit baseballs to the outfield during extra fielding practice for outfielders today.  He also ended up hitting a few over the fence.

"I was aiming for the area in front of the fence, but with the wind blowing, the balls just kept carrying," said Nakamura.

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The Lions prepared 100 surgical masks for people visiting the team on Monday.

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1st round draft pick Ken Togame tossed batting practice today.  He faced Masato Kumashiro and Takuya Hara and allowed two could-be hits on thirty-six pitches.

2nd round draft pick Hirotaka Koishi faced Shogo Akiyama and Hideto Asamura during batting practice today.  He threw forty-three pitches, nineteen for balls.

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Takeya Nakamura is thinking about using a heavier bat this season: from 930 grams to 950 grams.  Nakamura has been using a 940 gram bat during practices so far.

The Lions released their roster assignments for spring camp today.

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The Lions announced the following position changes for the player register today: Tomohito Yoneno (catcher to outfielder) and 3rd round draft pick Hitoto Komazuki (catcher to outfielder).

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Tatsuya Oishi threw about 50 pitches in the bullpen today (standing and half-standing catcher).  This was his second bullpen session in as many days.

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Takeya Nakamura took 130 swings over about 40 minutes during his BP session with Yataro Sakamoto on Monday.

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Sanspo's list of possible candidates for the starting rotation: Hideaki Wakui, Takayuki Kishi, Fumiya Nishiguchi, Kazuhisa Ishii, Kazuhisa Makita, Yusei Kikuchi, Oishi, and Enrique Gonzalez.

Hisanobu Watanabe also told reporters that 1st round draft pick Ken Togame and 2nd round draft pick Hirotaka Koishi will begin their pro careers as starters (that could change based on how they perform).

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Former Lion Kimiyasu Kudo will be a commentator for Bunka Hoso's Lions' Nighter this year.

Yataro Sakamoto threw 100+ pitches (fastballs and curves) to Takeya Nakamura during BP today.

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Hideaki Wakui showed up and worked out at Seibu 2 Stadium for the first time this year.  His workouts included running, playing catch, and strength training exercises.  Wakui also worked out with other players like Tatsuya Oishi.

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Oishi threw about 30 pitches (mostly fastballs) in the bullpen (half-bent catcher).  This was apparently his fourth bullpen session.  He also threw at about 60-70%.

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Hisanobu Watanabe watched the 2011 draft class working out at Seibu 2 Stadium on Sunday.  He later told reporters about how he might try playing Hiroyuki Nakajima at third, Hideto Asamura at short, and Takeya Nakamura at first.

Incidentally, Nakamura told reporters that while he would like to play third, he also understands the team has needs.

Six players, including Takumi Kuriyama, attended a lifesaving training course at Seibu Dome on Wednesday.  Kuriyama told reporters that he wanted to help support the proliferation of AED devices around Japan.

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Takeya Nakamura has managed to maintain his weight at around 105kg this winter by relying on a balanced diet.  And while Nakamura's weight has not changed much since 2005, the amount he eats has.

"I do not eat like crazy anymore.  I am fine with one serving [of rice].  I eat vegetables as well, but I think of them as medicine," said Nakamura.

Takeya Nakamura's meeting with the Seibu Lions on Thursday lasted about 50 minutes.  The team is not known for handing out multi-year deals, but with Nakamura set to earn his domestic FA option some time next season, they decided to take the necessary measures to make sure he remains for at least three seasons.

Said GM Haruhiko Suzuki, "[Nakamura] is special.  The multi-year deal shows that we want him to stay.  There is no one else in Japan that can hit as many homers and drive in as many runs.  He is number one."

According to Sponichi, the Lions gave Kazuhisa Ishii a two-year deal to join them after the 2007 season.  They also offered Kazuo Matsui a four-year deal after the 2003 season, but he ended up leaving for the Majors.

Sanspo is carrying the following comments taken during Nakamura's press conference on Thursday:

What are your thoughts now that negotiations are over?

I think they thought highly of the home run and RBI titles I won this season, in addition to all the homes I hit despite the new baseball.

You got a big three-year deal worth 1B yen...

I felt really wanted me when they offered such a big contract, even though I have not yet earned my FA option.

Are you satisfied with the two titles you won?

I think I was able to do ok, though it seems others had trouble.  I was two homers away from 50.  I was not really satisfied about that.  If I can hit one more home run a month, I will get there.

There's a good chance [Hiroyuki] Nakajima will be leaving...

I think those shoes will be tough to fill.  I want to do what I can to help fill them.

[Takumi] Kuriyama became captain and chairman of the team's player's group...

Kuriyama knows how to be a leader.  I am vice chairman so I will approach the season as if I were vice captain.  Everyone, please give Kuriyama one third of the space you plan to give me.

Takeya Nakamura met with the Seibu Lions today and signed a three-year deal worth an estimated 1B yen.  He is scheduled to earned about 250M yen next season.

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Career Stats