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.