[JO1] Hochi Kokoyakyu 210407

TAKUMI KAWANISHI
Profile
Born on 23rd June 1999 in Hyogo prefecture. Started to play baseball at the Japanese style baseball club during his first year of elementary school as a pitcher, shortstop and catcher. Shortstop and pitcher in his middle school’s Japanese style baseball club. Since fall of his first year of Highschool he was on the bench as center fielder. During Highschool he had 8 home runs all together. 170cm tall. Throws with the right hand and bats left. In 2019 he was chosen as a member of JO1 in an audition program and made his major debut last year.
TN: the difference between “Japanese style” baseball 軟式(野球) and “western” baseball 野球 is that the japanese style is played with a hard rubber ball. Since the original interview distinguishes those two terms, I decided to do the same here.

Long awaited
It was the first Senbatsu in 2 years.
I think that the fact alone that the Koshien was held is something really joyful for the high school baseball players. Also as a fan, it was something long awaited that you were able to watch the Koshien on TV.
TN: Senbatsu is the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, the spring version of the Koshien which is a little less important also takes place in Nishinomiya,Hyogo. It didn’t take place last year due the corona pandemic. It tends to get referred as spring Koshien, too.
Koshien both refers to the summer tournament and the name of the district of Nishinomiya where the stadium (Hanshin Koshien Stadium) is located.

Hagamari’s Suzuki deserved better
Higashi Harima, a public high school from Hyogo prefecture just like your former one, lost their first match, but fought bravely by extending 11 times to a 9-10x against Meiho.
I’ve played against Higashi Harima in a prefecture tournament. I can remember clearly how we lost, so since then I see them as a strong team. What left an impression when I watched a match of Hagamari (as audience) was the ball speed of their ace Suzuki Yujin. It’s just my personal opinion, but if there is an amazing pitcher in the team, it will lead to the future and the juniors are likely to grow, so I think they are a highschool that I will look forward to in the future, too. Because it was a really good match, the way it ended was regrettable (Sayonara wild pitch) and it feels wasted.
TN: Higashi Harima or short Hagamari is known for their baseball team, yet they don’t belong to the top schools, and Takumi talked about them in the previous issue.
Meiho – Meiho middle and highschool, a private school from Beppu in the prefecture Oita. They have some Senbatsu (8 wins, 4 defeats) and Koshien (9 wins, 6 defeats) experience.
Sayonara wild pitch – a wild pitch is charged against the pitcher if his pitch is too high, too short or too wide for the catcher to control. In this case this wild pitch has led to a walk off – the losing team which is also the visitor team has to walk off the field without finishing the inning.

An overwhelming mobility
As a highschooler you were a swift center. Higashi Harima also run often.
Since back then they were a team with mobility power. In fact, I remember them being quite active in stealing our bases during our match. I’m also remembering well that with their purple uniform they excluded some intimidating air.

Koshien’s desk pad is a favorite
Since you were a child you went to the Koshien with your family and watch high school baseball.
Somehow the impression of the baseball stadium was huge. It was during my elementary school days, so maybe that’s why it felt even bigger. I remember that because we went to the summer Koshien, the sunlight was strong and it was hot. I’m becoming nostalgic when remembering that I drank crushed ice, hit my body with ice to cool down. I also bought the desk pad of the tournament. I was happy and I used it the whole time. Also, I was overwhelmed by the greatness of the support (of the schools). It was so loud and I can’t forget that until now.
TN: Takumi mentioned in the previous issue that he wanted to watch the Koshien with his family during his first year of elementary school.
In the March issue you were the first main character of this magazine. What was the resonance from people who know you since your baseball club times or from your surroundings?
I’ve heard that from my mother, but it seems like that everyone around them said “That’s amazing.”. What is said however is that there were barely any messages from them… -laughs-

Challenging without giving up
“CHALLENGER” is going to be JO1’s 3rd single (released on April 28th). The title is also perfect for young baseball players.
The theme is “challenges”. To the young baseball players who are engaged with high school baseball, I think there are a lot of things like practicing that you don’t agree on, but please challenge those first. I know that there are also a lot of hard things, But the experience that you challenged will surely be nourishing one day. You make good use of those experiences in matches and in no matter the situation I want you to give your best without giving up.

Two years’ worth of passionate motivation.
You also have something you want to send to the graduates this spring.
I think there are a lot of highschool baseball players who didn’t get the chance to stand on the stage of the Koshien which wasn’t held due COVID-19 last year. In such a situation, when I saw this year’s Koshien it came across well that all highschoolers gave their all. I was also motivated to work harder than before, so I want us to do our best together.