Shuta Tonozaki, a professional baseball player who belongs to Saitama Seibu Lions, returned to Hirosaki on December 26 and interacted with local fans.

Sotozaki from Hirosaki joined the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2014. This year, the fifth year of his professional career, he has participated in all 143 games, with a total batting average of 20.77 minutes, 4 runs, 26 home runs, and led the team to the league title. After the season, he was selected as a representative from Japan and participated in WBSC Premier 12. It is known by the nickname "Apple Punch" because his family is an apple farmer.

Sotozaki participated in a fan meeting sponsored by the support group "Hirosaki Lion's Association" at Hirosaki Civic Gymnasium (Ishikishi Town, Hirosaki City) on that day, and interacted with about 200 baseball boys who gathered. We held talk events such as catching ball, demonstrating swings, and answering questions.

About the official match held at Haruka Yume Stadium (Toyota) on May 29, Mr. Tozaki said, "Despite being a visitor game sponsored by Rakuten, there was a lot of cheering and it was like home. Usually, Apple and Apple Punch. There were a lot of cheers, but in the game in Hirosaki, there were many cheers under the names such as Sotozaki and Shushu."

At the event, when a child asked, "How can baseball be successful," Mr. Tonozaki answered, "Eat an apple," and boiled the venue.

At 18:00, Hotel New Castle (Kamisashishi-cho) was held "Encouragement of Shuta Tozaki's 2019" and held auctions, commemorative photos, and autograph sessions of bats and gloves used by Tosaki. The sales of the auction will be donated to the local baseball boy group.

After exchanging with local fans, Mr. Tonozaki is enthusiastic about "I want to aim for the team's third consecutive league title and individual career goals next year."