Katsunori, who prefers to be called by his given name, compiled a decent .258 average in 31 at bats, but his .303 on base percentage proved to be a statistic even a father couldn't love.

He's no Atsuya Furuta and his defense is nothing to brag about, but if he improves a bit, Katsunori could make an OK replacement player when the Swallows are ahead by, say, ten or fifteen runs.

Still it's early, and the kid may have a few surprises. And even if he doesn't turn out to be a particularly successful player, he's still a nice guy and very eager to please fans by signing autographs and posing for pictures--something of a contrast to his father's gruff demeanor.