Lions Nighter that aired on June 8 aired an interview with Saitama Seibu Lions player Shinya Hasegawa before the third round match between Seibu and Chunichi at Belluna Dome. The second solo home run he unleashed in the second round of Seibu-Chunichi on June 7 was the first bye home run in his third year as a pro, leading the Lions to their first bye win of the season. I asked him about his feelings at the time and his awareness at bat at the end of the game.
――Yesterday (June 7th, 2nd Seibu-Chunichi round) was a nice home run.
Hasegawa: “Thank you.”
――Do you still feel the response and sensation in your hands overnight?
Hasegawa “There’s still a little left”
――Did you forget to wash your hands yesterday?
Hasegawa “I was taking a bath as usual.
――Are you still excited?
Hasegawa: Yes.
–What time did you go to bed last night?
Hasegawa: “It’s about 2 o’clock.”
――It was quite exciting while you were going to bed.
Hasegawa: Yes, I received many congratulatory messages.
――What kind of image did you enter the batter’s box?
Hasegawa “(Daisuke Chunichi Sobue, the opposing pitcher) is a slider pitcher.
――How did you feel when you went over the fence?
Hasegawa “I went around the diamond with the feeling that this was really the best.”
――When you came home, your teammates showered you with water.
Hasegawa “Last year, someone (Takeya) Nakamura hung it on me, so it felt really good to be on the side where I could hang it.”
―― The second home run of the season led the team to victory. What does that home run mean for Hasegawa?
Hasegawa “It’s a really big one, or a home run when the team is in a difficult situation, it’s exceptional.”
――Director Matsui also said, “Hase really has something he has”?
Hasegawa “During my first year, Matsui was the 2nd commander of the army, and even then, I had three or four bye hits, so I think that’s why I come around in situations of’ such.”
――Do you have a feeling you can hit at the end of the game?
Hasegawa “I have a strong desire to hit, but I have no feelings about what to do if I can’t hit it.”
――Do you have a completely different way of thinking?
Hasegawa: “That’s right. I think if you stop starting with a negative image and start with a positive mindset, you’ll be able to see another turn at bat.”
――Hasegawa, what kind of player do you want to be?
Hasegawa: “I’ll do my best to become a hitter that my opponents don’t like.
*Interviewer: Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Publisher Futoshi Hasegawa
