After trial and error… I didn’t care about the hitch’s quirks and said, “This shape fits perfectly.”
Infielder Yota Kyoda, who was transferred from Chunichi to DeNA in an off-season trade, showed his unwavering determination. On the 13th, voluntary training was released at the baseball club facility of Nihon University, his alma mater in Narashino City, Chiba. In his 7th year as a professional, he will turn 29 in April, and this season is likely to be a turning point in his baseball life.
He has a reputation for solid guerrilla defense. Both myself and others admit that hitting is a long-standing issue. Until now, coaches have often told me to break the habit of hitching (moving my hand up and down when taking back). But I am not aware of it now. He didn’t open up. Since October last year, before the decision to transfer, he thoroughly reconsidered his stance, take-backs, and steps by himself.
As a result of repeated trial and error, “The hitch that I felt most comfortable with was this shape. I want to set up in the most comfortable way for me so that I can hit the ball with good probability. I really tried many things, but now This is fitting,” he said.
“It’s my baseball life, so no matter what anyone says, I want to do my best with my own intentions,” he said with determination in his eyes. Then, “As Director (Daisuke) Miura said to the rookies, it’s no good to keep telling them. I would like to come,” he continued.
On the 8th of this month, on the first day of joint voluntary training for newcomers, Director Miura said, “In this world, just doing what you are told is absolutely useless. The most important thing is how to devise and think for yourself. It refers to the fact that he gave instructions. Kyoda seems to have taken Director Miura’s words with the same fresh feeling as a newcomer.
