The professional baseball season officially begins with training camp in February.
The Shizuoka Oceans used to hold their first team training camps overseas and the second team in Miyazaki, but now both teams camp in Okinawa, using adjacent baseball stadiums. This proximity allows for frequent player changes, creating a dynamic training environment.
In the past, veterans and rookies shared rooms in hotels, fostering mentorship and camaraderie. Now, both teams have individual rooms, but the quality varies significantly. For example, the first-team hotel boasts ocean views, while my room faced a stained wall with a forgotten pillow, promptly delivered upon request.
Among those drafted with me, pitchers Sugizawa and Taniguchi, our first and second picks, joined the first-team camp, while the other five, including myself, started with the second team. Outfielder Takeshita and pitcher Iijima, previously first-team players, were relegated to the second team this year. On the flip side, Taniguchi's stellar performance on the second team last year earned him a spot on the first team, with high expectations from management.
Our second-team infield coach, the notorious Coach Yatsu, was as relentless as ever. Last year's fall camp gave me a taste of his rigorous training, but for others, it was a baptism by fire. Adachi, a new high school recruit, was utterly exhausted by the end of the first day. Such intense training weeds out the weak, but also fast-tracks the promising rookies to the first team, just like last year's top draft pick, Arai.
As second-year players, we had a bit more leeway. Last year, I collapsed after night practice; this year, I had time to chat with my peers before bed.
Today, pitchers Mitamura and Iijima visited my room. Iijima, with his experience in the American minor leagues, spoke with a distant look.
"Japan's minor leagues are in a good position. In American minor league camps, players get cut daily, and less than half make it through from start to finish."
Dubbed the "hamburger league" for its poor management, Iijima had hamburgers every day during camp. In contrast, Japanese minor league camps provide three meals, a bath, and job security.
Mitamura chimed in, "Having a hamburger every day sounds great. It's always been my dream."
Coming from a rural area with no nearby burger joints, Mitamura longed for the city life. I see, but he's missing the point.
The camp runs on a four-days-on, one-day-off schedule. Last year, I overtrained even on rest days, but now I understand the importance of balance. Without rest, fatigue builds unnoticed, leading to poor performance and potential injury. Coach Yamashiro's final teachings often come to mind:
"Effort isn't just time. Think about how to improve the skills you need as a professional, what your team expects, and what practice will get you there. That's professional effort."
This golden advice guided me to practice with purpose. Of course, while running, there's no luxury to think—Coach Yatsu ensures that.
On a day off, I went sightseeing in Okinawa. The beautiful beaches were a balm for the soul. It would've been better without Mitamura tagging along.
"Why are you following me?"
"I heard there's a delicious hamburger place over there."
I'm glad he can enjoy his dream of daily hamburgers.
Early camp focused on basic training and drills. Coach Yatsu's relentless knocking drills tested everyone. His incredible stamina was a marvel, even if he was just a part-timer helping out.
The Red vs. White game, a mid-camp highlight, began. Last year, I was mostly a substitute; this year, I'm starting more often. It's a sign of growing expectations, though my batting remains a challenge. Infielders and outfielders move in when I'm up to bat. When Taniguchi steps in, they step back. Even when I hit, the ball seems magnetically drawn to the defense. I need more power.
As camp drew to a close, these reflections lingered.
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