Several Japanese Baseball Stars Skip Tryout, Future Teams Unclear
Listen to the story
Japanese professional baseball holds an annual tryout for players who are currently without a team. Teams watch these players and may decide to sign them for the next season.
This year, several well-known players chose not to take part. They include Kaito Kozono, Shintaro Fujinami, Koyo Aoyagi, Shogo Nakamura, and Ko Ito. Their absence has caused discussion among fans and experts.
A former player personnel director for the Yakult Swallows shared his thoughts on the situation. He suggested that Fujinami's absence may mean a deal with the Hiroshima Carp is already likely.
He also mentioned two younger players, Kenta Kozono of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and Yuto Akihiro of the SoftBank Hawks. According to him, both players show strong potential, and there may already be talks happening behind the scenes about their futures.
Meanwhile, attention has turned to Kaito Kozono. Instead of joining the tryout, he was reportedly seen watching a baseball game as a spectator. His relaxed attitude surprised some fans, who felt it seemed as if his next move had already been decided.
His calm behavior led many to ask: 'Has something already been decided?' This comment reflects the growing curiosity about where he might play next.
For now, no team has officially confirmed any new signing, and Kozono's future destination remains unknown. Fans and analysts continue to watch closely for further news, especially since several top names chose to skip this year's event entirely.
Vocabulary6 words
- tryout
- an event where players show skill to find a new team
- player personnel director
- a manager who decides which players a team should sign
- potential
- the ability to become very good later
- spectator
- someone who watches an event but does not play
- signing
- an official agreement that a player joins a team
- analysts
- people who study and explain events carefully
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Quiz
Answer key
1. So players without a team can be seen by scouts 2. He may already have a deal with Hiroshima 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japanese professional baseball holds an annual _____ for players who are currently without a team.
This year, several well-known players chose not to take part, including Kaito _____ and Shintaro Fujinami.
A former player personnel director for the Yakult _____ shared his thoughts on the situation.
He suggested that Fujinami's absence may mean a deal with the Hiroshima _____ is already likely.
He also mentioned two younger players, Kenta Kozono and Yuto _____.
According to him, both players show strong _____.
Kaito Kozono was reportedly seen watching a baseball game as a _____.
His _____ attitude surprised some fans.
No team has officially confirmed any new _____.
Kozono's future _____ remains unknown.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think some players choose not to join the tryout?
- What might it mean when a player appears relaxed before an important decision?
- Do you think fans should know in advance where a player will go next?
- How important is 'potential' when teams choose new players?
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