SoftBank's Shukou Talks Speed and Defense Ahead of Japan Series
Listen to the story
Yuki Shukou plays baseball for the SoftBank Hawks in Japan.
He is very fast. This year, he stole 30 bases. He is the stolen base champion in his league.
Shukou said 30 steals were the least he wanted. He wanted to steal 30 bases to look good too.
Now the Hawks are playing in the Japan Series. This is the biggest baseball event in Japan.
Shukou plays center field. This is an important defense position.
He said he wants to cover more space on the field. He called this plan 'Area 23'.
Shukou wants to help two teammates. People call them 'Gii-san' and 'Kon-san'.
He said these two players should not move too much. Shukou wants to catch more balls himself.
He wants to protect his team with his speed and his defense.
Vocabulary3 words
- stolen base
- when a runner moves to the next base without a hit
- Japan Series
- the biggest baseball final in Japan
- center field
- a position far from home plate, in the middle of the field
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Stealing many bases 2. Covering more space in defense 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Yuki Shukou plays baseball for the SoftBank _____.
He is very fast. This year, he stole _____ bases.
He is the stolen base _____ in his league.
Shukou said 30 steals were the least he _____.
Now the Hawks are playing in the Japan _____.
Shukou plays center _____.
He said he wants to cover more _____ on the field.
He called this plan '_____ 23'.
Shukou wants to help two _____.
He said these two players should not move too _____.
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