New Oakland Athletics' shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima practiced using a major league ball on Monday as he prepares for his first season in the big leagues.
"I just plan to take it one step at a time without thinking too much about targets," said the 30-year-old longtime Seibu Lions star, who worked out at his former club's indoor facility for an hour and a half on a snowy day in Saitama Prefecture.
Nakajima, who has long desired to test himself in the majors, has been preparing for the challenge by watching video of big leaguers and practicing with official major league balls, which differ in several ways from those used in NPB.