1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Shinya Kayama's early life and amateur baseball career laid the foundation for his professional success, marked by a determined spirit and a unique development path.
1.1. Childhood and Education
Kayama was born in Shiraho, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan. He began playing baseball at the age of four while attending Shiraho Elementary School. Throughout his junior high school years, he played softball. Despite the presence of Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Shōkō High School, a well-known baseball powerhouse that later featured Yuta Ohmine, Kayama chose to attend Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Norin High School. This decision was influenced by his desire to avoid failing the entrance exam for Yaeyama Shōkō, the strong competition among players there, and his childhood friend, Shogo Nagama, who also decided to enroll at Yaeyama Norin.
At Yaeyama Norin High School, Kayama joined the hardball baseball club and secured a spot on the bench by his second summer. He primarily played as an outfielder and the second-string pitcher, often alongside Nagama. In his third year, during the summer prefectural tournament, he recorded four hits in five at-bats in the opening game. As a pitcher, he entered a critical situation in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and no outs, trailing by two runs. Although he managed to keep the opponent scoreless, the team conceded a tying run in the ninth inning with two outs and a go-ahead run in the eleventh inning, leading to a first-round elimination.
1.2. Amateur Baseball Career
Following his high school graduation in 2008, Kayama joined Big Development, a real estate management company in Naha, becoming one of the inaugural members of their newly established hardball baseball club, the Big Development Baseball Club. In his second year, with the addition of two new pitchers, Kayama's position in the rotation dropped to fourth or fifth. However, under the strict training regimen imposed by his 同期dōkiJapanese teammate and captain, catcher Ibuki Miyazato, Kayama's fastball velocity consistently exceeded 81 mph (130 km/h), propelling him to become the team's ace.
In March 2010, during his third year with Big Development, Kayama participated in a goodwill camp with Asia University in Koza Town. There, he caught the eye of Asia University's baseball coach, Tsutomu Ikuta, who contacted JX-ENEOS coach Hideaki Okubo. This led to Kayama joining JX-ENEOS's practice in Kawasaki City in August. In May of that year, during the Urban Area Competition Okinawa Prefectural 1st Preliminary, he pitched a 9-inning, 2-run complete game victory against Okinawa Electric Power in the loser's bracket final, a team that had advanced to the main tournament the previous year. In October, he helped his team win the West Japan Club Cup, where he was named the Most Valuable Player. Following this success and a strong evaluation from his practice with JX-ENEOS, he transferred to the company in December 2010. Although he was a contract employee and not permitted to reside in the baseball club's dormitory, Kayama felt this arrangement offered him a more relaxed lifestyle.
In 2011, many official games were canceled due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. However, in September, Kayama delivered a brilliant 1-hit shutout against Toshiba in the autumn Kanagawa Prefectural Corporate Tournament, drawing high praise from Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks scout Masanori Taguchi. In October, at the 82nd Urban Area Competition, he pitched in relief from the fourth inning in the first game against Oji Paper, but his team was eliminated in the first round. On October 27, Kayama was selected by the SoftBank Hawks in the fifth round of the 2011 Nippon Professional Baseball draft. He agreed to terms on November 25, signing for an estimated 30.00 M JPY contract and an annual salary of 10.00 M JPY. He was assigned uniform number 57.
2. Professional Career
Shinya Kayama's professional baseball career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) spanned 12 years, marked by significant development, consistent contributions, and a crucial role as a left-handed specialist.
2.1. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Kayama spent the majority of his professional career with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, developing from a rookie pitcher into a reliable and integral part of their bullpen, contributing to multiple Japan Series championships.
2.1.1. Draft and Early Seasons (2012-2015)
After being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NPB draft by the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Kayama began his professional journey. In 2012, he started the season in the ni-gun (minor league) but was promoted to the first team on May 2 following an injury to Kento Kanazawa. He made his professional debut in the Pacific League on May 4 against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles as a relief pitcher, throwing 1.1 innings without allowing a run. However, he struggled in subsequent appearances, giving up one run in two consecutive games and six runs (four earned) in two innings against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on May 16, leading to his demotion on May 17. He later pitched in the Fresh All-Star Game on July 19, completing one scoreless inning. He did not return to the first team that season, finishing his rookie year with only four first-team appearances. In the offseason, he was dispatched to the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he made seven starts.
In 2013, Kayama again started in the ni-gun, but his performance in the Western League, including a 6-1 record and a 0.71 ERA in 14 games, earned him the Western League Monthly MVP award for May and a promotion to the first team on May 31. On July 15, against the Chiba Lotte Marines, he earned his first professional win by pitching 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, as his team mounted a five-run comeback. On August 2, against the Saitama Seibu Lions, he recorded his first career hold by preventing further scoring after inheriting a tying situation in the eleventh inning. He was scheduled for his first professional start on August 23 against Seibu, but the game was rained out. He eventually made his first start on September 19 against the Rakuten Golden Eagles, pitching five innings and allowing two runs, but received no decision. He completed the season without being sent down again, finishing with 40 appearances (one start), a 3-1 record, a 2.32 ERA, and four holds. In the fall camp, then-manager Koji Akiyama informed him of plans for him to transition to a starting role.
In 2014, Kayama expressed his desire to remain a relief pitcher, communicating his preference to pitching coach Shinichi Kato from his offseason training base in Guam. He made the opening day roster as a reliever for the first time. He was a key part of the bullpen, but after giving up three hits in two consecutive games in August, he was demoted on August 15. He was briefly re-registered on September 25 but demoted again on September 30. He finished the season with 32 appearances, a 0-2 record, a 3.19 ERA, and one hold. He was, however, selected to the Japan Series roster against the Hanshin Tigers.
In 2015, Kayama once again made the opening day roster as a reliever. He was demoted on April 17, re-registered on May 26, and then demoted again on July 12. This pattern of being re-registered and demoted repeated twice more that season. He ended the year with 16 appearances, a 0-0 record, a 4.20 ERA, and one hold. He was also selected for the Japan Series roster against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
2.1.2. Development and Peak Performance (2016-2020)
The 2016 season marked a turning point in Kayama's career. While he made the opening day roster for the third consecutive year, he was demoted on April 14 and again on August 7 after a brief return in July. He pitched in only five games with an 8.59 ERA. In the offseason fall training, he underwent a significant change, altering his pitching form from a three-quarter overhand delivery to a sidearm delivery, and also incorporated a slow Curveball. This strategic adjustment revitalized his career. He signed a new contract with an estimated salary of 20.00 M JPY, a decrease of 5.00 M JPY.
In 2017, following the departure of fellow left-handed reliever Masahiko Morifuku via FA to the Yomiuri Giants, Kayama competed with Yuya Iida for a spot in the bullpen. He successfully made the opening day roster. He started the season strong, recording a 0.71 ERA through his first 16 games. However, in May, he allowed hits to left-handed batters in four consecutive appearances, leading to his demotion on May 18. Upon his re-registration on June 13, he quickly regained form, notably escaping bases-loaded jams in two consecutive games against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on June 28 and 29. On July 5, against the Orix Buffaloes, he secured his first victory in four years. Despite concerns about overuse due to the struggles of the starting rotation, he contributed significantly to the Hawks' league championship, finishing with 58 appearances, a 2-0 record, a 2.76 ERA, and 14 holds. He made his postseason debut in the Climax Series Final Stage against Rakuten and pitched effectively in the Japan Series against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, recording no hits and no runs in Games 1, 2, and 6, which helped the team win the Japan Series championship. After initially holding out on his contract negotiation on December 8, he signed a new contract on December 20 for an estimated 40.00 M JPY, doubling his previous salary.
The 2018 season saw Kayama make his fifth consecutive opening day roster. He achieved a club-tying record of 31 consecutive scoreless appearances from June 24 to September 24. His scoreless streak from May 24 extended to 42 consecutive appearances. However, the streak was broken on September 27 in a crucial game against the Seibu Lions when he allowed a decisive three-run home run to Shogo Akiyama. Despite a late-season dip in performance, he finished with a career-high 67 appearances, a 2-1 record, a 2.45 ERA, and 25 holds. In the postseason, he recovered his form, pitching in three games during the Climax Series against the Nippon-Ham Fighters and Seibu Lions, and five games in the Japan Series against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, allowing no runs in any of these appearances. His contributions were vital to the team's second consecutive Japan Series championship. In the offseason, his salary doubled again to an estimated 80.00 M JPY.
In 2019, Kayama's spring training was hampered by a hamstring issue, which delayed his preparation. Despite this, he made the opening day roster. However, he struggled early, giving up two runs in 0.1 innings in his first appearance in his hometown of Okinawa on May 21 against Seibu. This marked his fifth consecutive appearance allowing runs, leading to a 7.71 ERA in his first 15 games and a demotion on May 23. Upon his return on June 12, he quickly regained his form, recording his first career save on June 18 against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He finished the season with 54 appearances, a 2-2 record, a 2.61 ERA, 19 holds, and one save. He continued his strong performance in the postseason as a left-handed specialist during the Climax Series against the Rakuten Golden Eagles and Seibu Lions, and the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, contributing to the Hawks' third consecutive Japan Series championship. In November, he was selected to the Japan national baseball team for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament. During a game against Canada in Okinawa, the announcement of his name during a pitching change was met with a huge ovation, a moment he cited as particularly memorable upon his retirement. He played a key role as a left-handed specialist in Japan's championship victory at the Premier12. In the offseason, he signed a new contract for an estimated 110.00 M JPY, an increase of 30.00 M JPY.
The 2020 season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Kayama aim for a club record: four consecutive seasons with at least 50 appearances and an ERA below 2.00 as a left-handed pitcher. He remained on the first-team roster throughout the season, providing stable pitching and only allowing multiple runs in one game (October 30 against Seibu). He finished with 50 appearances, a 3-1 record, a 2.10 ERA, and 18 holds, achieving his goal and contributing significantly to the team's third consecutive league championship. He continued his role as a left-handed specialist in the Climax Series against the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, allowing no hits and no runs in Games 2 and 4 of the Japan Series. These contributions were crucial to the Hawks securing their fourth consecutive Japan Series championship. In the offseason, he signed a new contract for an estimated 140.00 M JPY, an increase of 30.00 M JPY.
2.1.3. Later Seasons and Departure (2021-2023)
In 2021, Kayama made his eighth consecutive opening day roster. On April 23, he acquired domestic free agent rights. He was heavily used in the first half, appearing in a league-leading 42 games, but his ERA rose to 4.18 by June. On August 29, he achieved his fifth consecutive season with at least 50 appearances. However, his performance declined significantly in the second half, with a 15.43 ERA in nine appearances, leading to his demotion on September 3. He was re-registered on September 19, and on October 5, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, he recorded his 100th career hold, becoming the 40th player in NPB history to reach this milestone. Despite this, his pitching remained inconsistent, allowing many batters to reach base, and he was demoted again on October 15. He finished the season with 58 appearances, a 1-0 record, a 4.71 ERA, and 19 holds. Despite acquiring free agent rights, he chose to remain with the Hawks, signing a two-year contract on December 20 for an estimated 160.00 M JPY plus incentives.
Kayama continued to serve as a one-point reliever in the 2022 season, making the opening day roster. He maintained a remarkable 21-game scoreless streak from the start of the season until June 4, when he allowed a run against the Chunichi Dragons. However, on June 11, he gave up a crucial grand slam to Munetaka Murakami of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. On June 27, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was demoted. He returned to action in a ni-gun game on July 17 and was back with the first team on July 29. He then recorded a 28-game scoreless streak, including appearances before his demotion. Despite some struggles late in the season, he finished with a team-high 56 appearances, a 0-0 record, a career-best 0.99 ERA, and 28 holds.
In 2023, Kayama made his tenth consecutive opening day roster. On April 28, he acquired international free agent rights. However, his season started poorly; in his first appearance, he failed to record an out, allowing one hit and one walk. His performance continued to be inconsistent, leading to a demotion on May 21 (13 appearances, 6.43 ERA). He struggled even in the ni-gun, and although he was briefly re-registered on June 1, he was demoted again on June 6 after allowing two runs against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He then spent time in rehabilitation for left shoulder discomfort. He was re-registered on July 15 but pitched in only one game before being demoted again on July 25. He was re-registered on September 9, and despite a period of absence due to illness, he remained with the first team through the postseason. In Game 1 of the Climax Series First Stage, he entered in the fifth inning but allowed three consecutive hits in the sixth, contributing to a crucial three-run inning for the opposing team. He finished the regular season with 23 appearances, a 1-0 record, a 5.25 ERA, and seven holds. On October 22, the Hawks announced his release.
2.2. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2024)
On November 28, 2023, Kayama signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, taking uniform number 49. His estimated salary for the 2024 season was 20.00 M JPY, approximately one-eighth of his previous salary with the Hawks. In 2024, his time with the Swallows was brief, as he made only nine appearances, pitching 4.1 innings with a 14.54 ERA. He also struggled in the ni-gun, stating that he "couldn't get a grip on what was wrong" and was unable to pitch in a way he found satisfactory, despite feeling physically healthy. He was released by the Swallows on September 30, 2024, marking his second consecutive release from a team.
2.3. Retirement
On November 15, 2024, Shinya Kayama announced his retirement from professional baseball. After living alone in Tokyo during his time with the Swallows, he returned to Fukuoka to be with his family. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a new role, becoming an academy coach for his former team, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
3. International Career
Shinya Kayama represented Japan on the international stage as a member of the Japan national baseball team. On October 24, 2019, he was selected for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament. In this competition, he served as a key left-handed specialist, contributing significantly to Japan's championship victory. During a game held at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha in his hometown of Okinawa, he received a particularly enthusiastic ovation when his name was announced for a pitching change, a moment he remembered as a highlight of his career.
4. Player Profile
Shinya Kayama's player profile is defined by his distinctive pitching style and a repertoire that included several unique pitches.
4.1. Pitching Style and Repertoire
Kayama was a left-handed sidearm pitcher. His fastball reached a maximum speed of 91 mph (146 km/h). Alongside his fastball, his main pitches included a slider and a shuuto. He changed his pitching form from a three-quarter overhand to a sidearm delivery in the fall training of 2016, a crucial adjustment that led to his peak performance years.
4.2. Notable Pitches
Kayama was known for two unique pitches that garnered attention during his career.
- Kayama Ball (嘉弥真ボールKayama BōruJapanese): Before his transition to sidearm, Kayama utilized a pitch he called the 'Kayama Ball.' This pitch was characterized by its irregular movement, resembling a knuckleball, making its trajectory unpredictable even to Kayama himself. It was particularly effective for attacking the inside part of the plate against right-handed batters. He threw it with a distinctive grip, folding his index and middle fingers inward and supporting the ball with his thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger.
- Ginoza Curve (宜野座カーブGinoza KābuJapanese): Kayama was also a practitioner of the 'Ginoza Curve,' a pitch famously associated with Okinawa Prefectural Ginoza High School and popularized during the 73rd National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in 2001. He acquired the knowledge for this pitch by visiting Ginoza High School during his time with the Big Development Baseball Club.
- Changeup: Kayama added a changeup to his repertoire, learning it during his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League in the 2012 offseason.
5. Personal Life
Shinya Kayama comes from a large family; his paternal side has 12 siblings, resulting in over 200 relatives. His younger brother, who is 10 years his junior, began playing baseball at the age of four, influenced by Kayama, and the two would often play catch when Kayama returned home.
In November 2016, it was reported that Kayama had married a woman from his native Okinawa in July of that year. Their first child, a son, was born on January 14, 2017.
At Kayama's family home in Ishigaki Island, a special showcase was installed in 2023 to display his career memorabilia. This includes commemorative balls, such as the one from his first professional win, his championship rings, and photographs from his time with the Samurai Japan national team. Whenever the Hawks played official games at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha, his family and approximately 30 relatives would form a "Shinya Big Support Group" to cheer him on.
6. Career Statistics and Records
6.1. Pitching Statistics (NPB)
| Year | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | BF | W | L | SV | HLD | PCT | TBF | IP | H | HR | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | WP | BK | R | ER | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | SoftBank | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 23 | 4.1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 12.46 | 2.54 | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | SoftBank | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .750 | 215 | 54.1 | 38 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 14 | 2.32 | 0.99 |
| 2014 | SoftBank | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 164 | 36.2 | 44 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 3.19 | 1.45 |
| 2015 | SoftBank | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 63 | 15.0 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 4.20 | 1.27 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | SoftBank | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 36 | 7.1 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8.59 | 1.77 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | SoftBank | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1.000 | 143 | 32.2 | 31 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 2.76 | 1.29 |
| 2018 | SoftBank | 67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 25 | .667 | 129 | 33.0 | 17 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 2.45 | 0.85 |
| 2019 | SoftBank | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 19 | .500 | 128 | 31.0 | 29 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 9 | 2.61 | 1.10 |
| 2020 | SoftBank | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 18 | .750 | 117 | 30.0 | 18 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2.10 | 0.93 |
| 2021 | SoftBank | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1.000 | 121 | 28.2 | 22 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 15 | 4.71 | 1.22 |
| 2022 | SoftBank | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | |||||||||||||||
| 109 | 27.1 | 18 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.99 | 1.06 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | SoftBank | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1.000 | 56 | 12.0 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 5.25 | 1.83 |
| 2024 | Yakult | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 24 | 4.1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14.54 | 2.77 | ||||||||||||
| Career Total | 472 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 137 | .667 | 1328 | 316.2 | 274 | 19 | 106 | 4 | 21 | 308 | 7 | 1 | 128 | 114 | 3.24 | 1.20 | |
- Statistics as of the end of the 2024 season.
6.2. Pitching Statistics (WBSC Premier12)
| Year | Team | G | GS | W | L | SV | TBF | IP | H | HR | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | WP | BK | R | ER | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
6.3. Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | SoftBank | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2013 | SoftBank | 40 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| 2014 | SoftBank | 32 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2015 | SoftBank | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2016 | SoftBank | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2017 | SoftBank | 58 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2018 | SoftBank | 67 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2019 | SoftBank | 54 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2020 | SoftBank | 50 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 2021 | SoftBank | 58 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2022 | SoftBank | 56 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | .900 |
| 2023 | SoftBank | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2024 | Yakult | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| Career Total | 472 | 15 | 76 | 2 | 5 | .978 | |
- Statistics as of the end of the 2024 season.
6.4. Uniform Numbers
- 57 (2012-2023)
- 49 (2024)
6.5. Career Milestones
- First appearance: May 4, 2012, vs. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Fukuoka Yahoo! JAPAN Dome); relieved in the 8th inning (4th pitcher), pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.
- First strikeout: May 10, 2012, vs. Orix Buffaloes (Hotto Motto Field Kobe); struck out Mitsutaka Goto swinging in the 7th inning.
- First win: July 15, 2013, vs. Chiba Lotte Marines (QVC Marine Field); relieved in the 4th inning (2nd pitcher), pitched 2.1 scoreless innings.
- First hold: August 2, 2013, vs. Saitama Seibu Lions (Fukuoka Yahoo! JAPAN Dome); relieved in the 10th inning (6th pitcher), pitched 0.2 scoreless innings.
- First start: September 19, 2013, vs. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi); pitched 5 innings, allowed 2 runs, 6 strikeouts, no decision.
- First save: June 18, 2019, vs. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Meiji Jingu Stadium); relieved in the 9th inning (5th pitcher), pitched 0.1 scoreless innings.
- 100th hold: October 5, 2021, vs. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Fukuoka PayPay Dome); relieved in the 6th inning (4th pitcher), pitched 0.2 scoreless innings; 40th player in NPB history to achieve this.
7. Walk-up Songs
Throughout his playing career, Shinya Kayama used various walk-up songs when appearing in games:
- "Gokoku Hōjō" by Parsha Club (2012)
- "Hands Up!" by BIGBANG (2013-2016)
- "Habu to Mongoose" by Kiiyama Shouten (2017-2018)
- "Ganbare yo!" by Kiiyama Shouten (2017-present)
- "Start" by Gaho (2021-present)
