Sosuke Genda was an almost last-minute addition for this year's All-Star Series. But that hasn't taken any of the fun out of it for the 24-year old Seibu Lions rookie.

Genda got his first taste of the All-Star Series on Friday night at Nagoya Dome. In the seventh inning, the Lions shortstop made a diving stop on a sharply hit ball by Shinnosuke Abe and hopped to his feet to throw out the Yomiuri Giants star at first. In the eighth, he teamed with the Chiba Lotte Marines' Daichi Suzuki to turn a double play as the Pacific League protected a 5-2 advantage.

"I'm really enjoying it," Genda told The Japan Times prior to Game 2 of the All-Star Series on Saturday at Zozo Marine Stadium.