Wladimir Balentien launched a few balls to the farthest reaches of Tokyo Dome during batting practice on Sunday, turned his hat backwards and, as he sat down near the visitor's dugout, proclaimed that his timing was off.

But, he added, "we still have a month to go."

With Opening Day fast approaching — Balentien's Tokyo Yakult Swallows begin the season at home against the Yokohama BayStars March 28 — the Yakult star is focusing on rounding himself back into the form that saw him hit a NPB single-season record 60 home runs a year ago.