Carp Catcher Sakakura Declares Free Agency, Wants Decision by End of November
Listen to the story
Shogo Sakakura plays baseball for the Hiroshima Carp.
He is a catcher. A catcher is an important player in baseball.
Sakakura used his free agency right. This means he can now choose to play for a new team.
He said he wants to decide by the end of November.
Sakakura said thinking for a long time only makes him more confused.
He has already met with the Chiba Lotte Marines. This is another baseball team in Japan.
People are talking online about the Carp's catchers. Some say the team does not have many good catchers.
People are also talking about older players. Some say teams should add experienced players.
If Sakakura leaves the Carp, the team may need to change.
Another catcher, Tobashira, may also leave his team.
This could change many baseball teams in Japan.
Vocabulary6 words
- catcher
- a baseball player who stands behind home plate
- free agency
- when a player can choose any team to join
- declare
- to say something clearly and officially
- confused
- not able to think clearly
- experienced
- having done something for a long time
- reorganize
- to change how a team or group is arranged
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Catcher 2. By the end of November 3. Chiba Lotte Marines
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Shogo Sakakura plays baseball for the Hiroshima _____.
He is a _____. A catcher is an important player in baseball.
Sakakura used his free _____ right.
He said he wants to decide by the end of _____.
Sakakura said thinking for a long time only makes him more _____.
He has already met with the Chiba Lotte _____.
People are talking online about the Carp's _____.
Some say teams should add _____ players.
If Sakakura leaves the Carp, the team may need to _____.
Another catcher, Tobashira, may also _____ his team.
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