The charm of Okinawa camp is here! Yoshio Itoi x Tsuyoshi Ueda Special Talk

──There are various movements from each team toward the 2025 season, but first of all, please tell us your impressions of the 2024 season.
In the Itoi Se League, Baystars became the best in Japan as a result, but I think the Giants were strong. This is because Abe (Shinnosuke) won the league in his first year in office. The Tigers were also excited, but I think the strength of the Giants has revived again. The Pa League can only be said to be too much.
Ueda is also a Hawks player, all of the major hit titles.
Itoi Fighters worked hard, too. Shinjo (Goshi) also moved the players so far in the third year, so I'm looking forward to the 25-year season!

──What do you think is the reason why Tigers missed the championship?
Itoi and five other teams have been studying various ways to hit Tigers, and it was great that they suffered early. In particular, the strike team was not really hit. Among them, I kept A class, so in a sense it was amazing. Almost everyone was in second place while they were in good condition, so I thought they had power.

──Mr. Ueda, Furusu's Swallows has been struggling with 5th place for the second consecutive year after the third consecutive victory.……。
Masanao Ueda, you haven't seen much.……。
Itoi! I have appointed you to the conversation partner, so do it properly!
I know Ueda. I guess it's a joke (laughs). Well, the biggest thing was Shiomi (Yasutaka)'s injury. Also, Yamada (Tetsuto) did not improve at all. No one of the pitchers seemed to be honest. When the team was good, I felt that Yamada was good, Murakami (Munetaka) was good, and the pitcher was moderate. Since the exact opposite situation continues, I think that it also affects the ranking.

─Did you go to the Okinawa camp in February 20122?
We went to visit the camp of Itoi Tigers and Fighters. The Tigers was just after winning, so it was very exciting.
Ueda: I went to the Swallows camp on February 1st.
Itoi, isn't it?
It's Ueda, isn't it? Because I was told, "Isn't it coming early?" (laughs). What I felt at that time was that it became much brighter than when I was enrolled. At our time, camping was really hell, so the amount of practice was different, and I wondered if that was related to the atmosphere of the team. Also, the number of machines is really increasing.
Itoi machine?
Ueda Now, you're taking tremendous data. That machine was so much like a major.
Itoi, indeed, it's a machine. Kikaider! I feel like it.
Ueda Even when practicing batting, our directors and coaches were just watching, but now there are some analysts who have machines. During the Penang Trail, the number of teams with analysts on benches is increasing, so I realized again that it was in such an era.

──Although they were not as active as it is now, I think they used data. Are you concerned about such data during the active era?
Itoi: I've been watching the data to some extent, but I think it's very important to have a sense of standing or throwing it. There are times when the data is not all.
Ueda Last time on TV, Ichiro said, "Take care of your sensibility."
Itoi also said, "The current baseball is not interesting because it moves only in the data." So, in response to that, data is important! I wonder if I should say that. But that's not different, stop (laughs).

──I would like to move on to the 25th Spring Camp. The three teams camping in Okinawa will start under the new coach. First of all, what kind of impression do you have about Tigers' baseball coach Kenji Fujikawa, who has also played with Mr. Itoi, and Mr. Ueda has also played against each other?
Ueda I thought the new director of Tigers was Mr. Itoi (laughs).
Itoi I also thought (laughs). Buffaloes directed his classmate Kishida (go), so it's time for us to come to our generation. That's why I couldn't let go of my cell phone for a while so that I could get a phone call at any time, but I didn't get it at all (laughs). Aside from me, for Director Fujikawa, the impression that he has become a person to be. I've been thinking about Tigers since I retired, and since I'm a leader, I think I'll do it. If you are worried, you don't have a head coach. Actually, I ran for the run, but I was refused "Yoshio, I don't care."
Ueda Ahahahahahaha. That's what happened. I was saying tough things like "I don't need a veteran without power" at the director's inauguration interview, so I feel like I'm trying to put a female on the team. That's why I thought that the autumn camp was sending my eyes to the details, and I received the feeling that I was really going with a sense of crisis.
Itoi I had a great communication skills since I was active, so I was loved by all the pitchers.

──What is the impression of Director Kazuki Inoue of Dragons?
Itoi I know well because I was involved as a head coach during the Hanshin era. Mr. Inoue is a good person on how to raise it. Athletes who have not achieved a little result can also call out at a good time and have high communication skills. That's why I think Dragons will change at once.
Even in Ueda, it's hard for Lydel to disappear.
Itoi there. I took Kanemaru (Yumeto) in the draft, but I'm still rookie.
Do you want to win 2 digits Ueda?
I think it will be a catalyst for Itoi, but there are some parts that you can't understand unless you try it. That's why if Inoue finds new human resources and veteran Sho Nakata wakes up, it's more likely to change.

──Mr. Ueda, I think he was in a position to receive guidance from Eagles' director Hajime Miki during his active era.
You were so angry at Ms. Ueda Miki. Especially when it comes to running, he was a very tough person. But I have a lot of drawers and can fully analyze the characteristics and abilities of the players, so I think many players are longing for it.
I know because I was a coach in the Itoi Fighters era, but I have the impression that there are many people who long for it.
It was Miki-san who made Tetsuto Ueda Yamada's running base bloom. I'm also good at thinking about various strategies. That's why I heard that there were quite a few directors who wanted to make Miki a head coach.

──I think it is the real pleasure of camping to see the new power of each team. In particular, the Giants, who are aiming to win the Se League, made large reinforcements off the ground.
There were so many Itoi reliefs (Alberto) Bardo Nard, but he took it to Lydel. And Ueda and his classmate Mar-kun (Masahiro Tanaka) also entered. If you think about it normally, it's strong.
Most of the people should be the Giants in the Ueda Se League's ranking forecast.
Itoi For me, I'm worried about how Yuto (Sakamoto) appoints.
The person himself said that it became very easy to become Ueda Third, so I guess he will do it this season.
Even in Itoi, there is a part where Oshiro can be shaken by taking Kai (Takuya), so I can't really read what to do there. Abe has given Kai the number of his active era, so I think the correct catcher is a rule.
Ueda and the catchers are overflowing. There is also Kishida (Gyorin) who worked hard last season, and I think Seiji (Kobayashi) can still do it.

──During the camp, what kind of place do players want the fans watching to see?
Itoi After all, I would like you to see what kind of practice you are practicing.
Ueda When I was active, I didn't want to see the camp. Because it was a hell camp, don't see where you are suffering so much! It was like that.
Is that so? Look at yourself covered with mud in individual practice! Isn't it like that? I've never been covered with mud because I was outfields (laughs).
Ueda: I was also outfield, so I didn't get muddy.
If you go to Itoi Okinawa to see a camp, please see the practice of multiple teams, not just one team. There are differences in the content and method for each team, so I think you can enjoy various ways.
Ueda I think so too. If you can stay for about a week or 10 days, it would be interesting to go around various places. Even if it's a few days, the Giants, Swallows, and Baystars can go in one day in the second half of February.

──Do you have any impressions of the Okinawa camp that you experienced yourself?
Itoi: It's really hard physically, but Okinawa has a climate that makes you forget the toughness, so I guess you were able to practice every day with a radiant feeling.
Ueda One month in Okinawa was really fun. The practice was really hard, but I thought it was something fun.

──During the camp period, players mainly live in the dormitory, but do you sometimes go to the city to eat out before holidays?
Both Ginoza of Itoi Tigers and Nago of Fighters are far from Naha in the urban area, so I didn't often go there. I sometimes eat in Naha. I should have done something like a bar in Naha where I happened to meet for the first time with Ueda.
Ueda It was really a coincidence.
Itoi At that time, Aoki (Norichika) was there.
Ueda was there.
Itoi When I first met there, I thought, "This guy, I don't like me," and from there I called it "Brother."
Ueda's face is similar, isn't it? That's the story, but in the past I was mistaken for Mr. Itoi at New Chitose Airport, and I wrote a sign without correction.
Itoi me?
Ueda, yes. Suddenly rushed in and said, "Itoi-san, please sign!" I also knew Itoi's signature, so I wrote it (laughs).
Itoi What are you doing (laughs). I was surprised by the person who got it.

──I think I've often eaten out during the camp, but please let me know if there are any recommended shops.
If it's Itoi Nago, it's "Asahi Restaurant". It's a shop where players often go, and the steak is addicted! After that, I forgot the name of the store, but the pork shabu shop was also delicious.
Ueda famous, but "Takaesu Soba" near Urasoe's stadium is definitely better to go when you come to Swallows camp. It's so popular that players also go. It's inevitable for a line during the camp.

──Speaking of Okinawa, awamori is famous. In December 2024, traditional sake brewing including awamori was registered with UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Property. Do players who like alcohol often drink during camping and before holidays?
It depends on Ueda. Some people drink every day, like me, before the break. In awamori, I was drinking a lot of residual waves. And everyone was drinking hub liquor.
Itoi Because I only drink protein (laughs). But on the night before the holidays, there were many people drinking with a good feeling because it was one of the pleasures for the players.

──I think there are scenes where players and fans come together at meals. In such a case, is it a good idea for fans to speak out?
Itoi It's a private place, so I think it's better to avoid it if possible, but I wonder if it's good to be alone or just a teammate. Some people spend time with their family on holidays, so in that case it's not good.
Ueda If I'm only a player, I think it's OK to sign.

──I think fans are often asked to sign during practice. Is it a good manners to get it after practice?
Itoi Sode, I don't really go out during practice. I think it's easier for players to write after practice.
Ueda: When I was asked by a fan to sign and wrote it, I was late for batting practice time and was angry.
Itoi Camp is very close to see players, so fans will definitely move suddenly if the players pass in front of them. I'd like to write if the players can call out, but I have to give priority to practice. Now, each team is announcing the camp menu on HP and SNS, and it is possible to predict the end time, so I think it's better to aim for it.

──Finally, please tell me the players that you should definitely watch in this year's Okinawa camping team.
Ueda After all, it is Murakami of Swallows, which may be the last camp this year. I hope you will enjoy what kind of practice he is doing. If you're a pitcher, I think it's like Hiroto Takahashi of Dragons.
Itoi I'm Teruaki Sato of Tigers. I told the baseball team that I wanted to go to a major in posting. I may go as a temporary coach (Niyari).
Ueda's head coach was impossible, so is it a temporary coach? Did you have an offer?
Itoi a little bit (laughs).
Ueda When will it be decided?
I wonder if it will be in the first half of Itoi. That's why I'm excited that the camp will start now! So, when will Ueda go to Okinawa?
Ueda I don't know yet. I'm a free man (laughs). But in the second half, I would like to go to Swallows and Giants. I'd like to meet Tanaka and Sakamoto of Giants because I have to excite the 88th year party.
Itoi I'm the same generation!
Ueda Other than that, Kap's Akiyama (Shogo) and Dragons' Ono (majestic) are also Okinawa camp groups, so please pay attention!

▼Profile (Itoi)
Yoshio Itoi: Left photo
Born on July 31, 1981, from Kyoto Prefecture. Joined Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2003 under the free draft meeting. A big break in the third year of professional turnover. After crossing three teams, he won a maximum base rate of 3 times, and one top batter and stealing king each. After retirement, he is also active as a commentator.

▼Profile (Ueda)
Tsuyoshi Ueda: Right photo
Born on October 2, 1988, from Okayama Prefecture. He joined the Tokyo Yakult Swallows third place at the 2006 High School Draft Conference. During the active era, he played an active role with his agile shoulders as a weapon, and also showed a strong presence as a mood maker. After retirement, he is active in setting up his own company.