How will pitcher Shoki Oda make his decision to challenge the US Major League Baseball?

Yokohama High School's pitcher Shoki Oda, who has indicated his intention to challenge for the American baseball team, began interviews with major league teams on the 4th. He is scheduled to meet with about 12 teams by the 17th, and will he decide on a particular team or will he choose to attend university in the United States? The 18-year-old's decision is attracting attention, including whether he will have a chance in the future with the Giants, who forcefully selected him at the professional baseball draft meeting in October.

A total of eight Rangers were the first to visit Yokohama High School and met with Oda for about two hours on the 4th. Director of International Scouting Johnny Crum praised him, calling him a ``one-of-a-kind pitcher.'' ``I had a lot of questions, and we had a very good conversation,'' he said.

In addition to the Dodgers, who are seen as strong candidates, and the prestigious Yankees, who have spent a lot of time researching the position, each team had an opportunity to present their training policies and environment in interviews. The battle for Oda is likely to become more intense in the future.

On the other hand, the Giants had not been able to give a nominating greeting by the 6th. If manager Hideki Matsui, who was appointed the day after the draft meeting, is willing to participate in negotiations, it should give him a boost. However, manager Matsui took a cautious stance at his inauguration press conference, saying, ``There may be cases where I cause trouble if I go.I want to put his feelings first.''

On the 2nd, before interviews with major league teams began, Yokohama High School coach Hiroaki Murata said, ``I'll think about it after the interviews are over.It's up to him to decide what to do.'' For the time being, we will be listening to the voices necessary for making big decisions.