5/1/2016: Kawaguchi, Japan – The theme of the press conference was simple: “Kawaguchi fans deserve better!” Biao Ci, the legendary manager of the Transmitters, repeated that mantra more than a dozen times during the 45-minute Q & A with the local press just one day before his team hosts the Niihama-shi Ghosts to open the 2016 League of the Rising Sun season. “Our owner thinks somewhere close to .500 is okay, but I am tired of losing,” the 47-year-old manager said emphatically. “I saw some things this spring that we can build on and while I’m not promising a winning record this season, I feel we are not the 45-win team of last year.”

The 2015 season was a disaster for the Transmitters. They finished last in the Shining Star Group, 21 games out of fifth place. They allowed a SSG-worst 5.4 runs per game while scoring a SSG-worst 3.9 runs per game. “We could field the ball a little bit last year,” said pitcher Kantaro Sakei, the Transmitters lone All-Star in 2015, “but we couldn’t hit or pitch to save our lives.”

With a 12-12 spring record, there is reason for optimism around the Kawaguchi clubhouse. Sakei has moved into the rotation with Orlando Valadez to form a decent top of the rotation. Each gave up only three earned runs in 20 spring innings to further fuel the fire. “Pitching is the key in this league,” Valadez stated matter-of-factly. “If you can pitch in the LRS, then you can win.”

If they can stay away from injuries, then the hitting should improve, as well. “Stability is a key component to any lineup,” Ci explained. “If you can run the same guys out there every day, then they can get their rhythm and they will hit better as a group.”

DH Roberto Cuevas, 1B Kaz Higashi, and OF Raúl Gómez all had great springs, each hitting over .300 and driving in 19 runs. If they can keep that up through the regular season, then things will be warm and fuzzy in Kawaguchi. If injuries strike again, then the few fans that show up to Transmitters’ games are in for another long season.