2012.08 Hakkyuu Danshi Vol. 3 - Kamenashi Kazuya
2012.08 Hakkyuu Danshi Vol. 3 - Kamenashi Kazuya
(白球男子 Vol. 3)
"Take Me Out To the Ball Game"
When escorting such man, doesn't it seem we are watching a baseball game!? The one taking us to the baseball stadium today is Kamenashi Kazuya-san. We are taught about the fascination of baseball, the highlights of pro-baseball which is nearing its critical time [end games], and more by Kamenashi-san who currently works as caster for NTV's "Going!".
He wants to put everything into the projects and so show the greatness of the players
- Kamenashi-san, I heard that as a child you played baseball.
Kamenashi: I played it from my first year in primary school to my first year in middle school. I played about every position except first baseman. In my 6th year of primary school, I appeared in the "Nanshikiyakyuu [Nankyu] Baseball World Championship", at that time I mainly played second base and shortstop. Also at that time I admired the players Matsui (Hideki) and Ichiro. As for pitchers, I liked Nomo Hideo-san.
- Over two years have passed since you started as a caster for NTV's "Going!". Your position changed from a baseball fan to someone reporting about it. Did your point of view towards baseball change?
Kamenashi: About everything looks different now. I hear firsthand the stories of the players, I get taught baseball techniques, there is much to be seen behind the scenes that I didn't know when I watched it on TV. I came to understand that baseball is really profound and interesting. I like baseball even more now.
- What are you aiming for when you report about baseball in your role as a caster?
Kamenashi: I often convey to everyone through my own mouth the information and comments I have obtained from the players and the people concerned. Therefore I pay careful attention to not convey incorrect nuances.
- Kamenashi-san, you were a baseball fan from the beginning, do you enjoy collecting data/interviewing baseball players?
Kamenashi: I enjoy it. I entered Johnny's when I was 13 years old, from then on my life was cantered on my work in the world of show business and I couldn't watch/follow baseball carefully for almost 10 years. But in my work as caster I can now participate in baseball, all at once the feelings of my childhood have returned. Currently, when I have time I watch the baseball relays, and I also often read the sports papers.
- You have returned to the passionate feelings of your childhood when you were crazy about it and watched baseball.
Kamenashi: Yes. My admiration for the players has not at all chanced now that I have become a caster. They are people who are in a line of work that I dreamed of in my childhood, whether they are younger or older I have feelings of respect for them.
- In the TV show you actually participate in the training of the players, and you listen to the talk about technical aspects, you collect data getting quite to the core of those things. Because of that your feelings of respect seem to have become stronger and stronger.
Kamenashi: Yes. Pro-players are really amazing. Meeting them and listening to their stories, every time they instruct me on the techniques I have to sigh. The way I face my own work might also have been changed by coming into contact with first-class players.
- So, you are influenced by the players' professional sense. Actually, how was it to personally experience the players' training schedule.
Kamenashi: It was hard. The next day, my knees hurt and I couldn't go down stairs (*laughs*). Even though it was an independent training, I was driven to amazing levels. The players continue to do this every day, and furthermore they fight 144 matches, I can only say that it's amazing.
- In the TV show you currently tackle the "homerun project".
Kamenashi: Various players teach me techniques, it's interesting, every theory differs. There are various techniques hidden in [hitting] a homerun, I once more felt that that background is increasing every day.
- Your time limit is December 31st. Do you think you will hit the homerun?
Kamenashi: Because my opportunities/chances of being able to hit an official ball are limited, it's somehow annoying that I can't secure time to practice. But when I look at my batting I feel that compared to last year my technique has certainly improved. I certainly want to enjoy the exhilarating feeling when I hit a homerun, the people around me are also telling me, "We expect you to hit it!", above all I have to show results because a lot of players have taught me, an expert carved my bat for me, and I have really received a lot of collaboration from many sides for over two years.
- One actually fully realizes how difficult it is to hit a homerun, right.
Kamenashi: It's difficult (*laughs*)! But, it's natural for it to be difficult. For this project, I am not setting out to show how great it is that I can hit a homerun. I, an amateur who didn't hold a bat in over then years, am challenging the same thing as a pro, and seeing me not accomplishing it shows once again the "greatness of the pro-players". It my goal to show this. In my usual work it's natural to show perfect dancing and performing, so to expose the "myself that can't do something" was frankly quite bewildering in the beginning. But now it's simply that I hope to convey the greatness of the players through the things I challenge.
He continues his interviewing and challenges
He becomes a link [between the baseball world and the fans]
- It's the third season since you started as a caster, once again what is the charm of baseball?
Kamenashi: Every year, I am shown different struggles. Particularly, because this year there were many coach/manager changes, it was difficult from the start of the season to predict a pennant. For baseball the true charm is that it's not just theory. Every day a totally different match can unfold even though one battles with the same members.
- We are currently in the second half of the season, is there a player who is especially on your mind?
Kamenashi: Because player Naruse (Yoshihisa; Chiba Lotte), who is about my age, has currently (2012.08.18) the most wins, I personally wish for him to keep on going [stay ahead]. Of course, players of the same age or younger that take an active part become a big motivation.
- Kamenashi-san, you also do relay broadcasts from the stadium, can you tell us about the charm of a live game and the charm of a relay?
Kamenashi: Watching games live is of course intense. The sounds of the balls and the cheers make the players shine even more, seeing it is a really good feeling. In the relay, one understands the players' facial expressions and small gestures, you can hear about the real conditions, hear explanations and also know the drama of the players. Each holds a different kind of enjoyment. I think when watching the relay the way of looking at things when coming to the baseball stadium also changes, and also the other way round.
- You are currently challenging various projects, what do you want to challenge in the future?
Kamenashi: First, I want to do my very best at the homerun project. After it is over I want to get a better understanding while being taught by players for questions/problems that have come up. Then, previously I was allowed to collect data about the work of the Koushien's 'Hanshin Gardeners' [the gardeners who prepare the baseball field], and I think the people supporting pro-baseball from behind the scenes are also amazing. So I am thinking about actively going to collecting data from backstage workers too.
- Lastly, when you report about baseball as a caster in the future, tell us about the plans you have.
Kamenashi: In the TV show I had the chance and was allowed to mingle with the baseball youth of the disaster areas, it was a very good experience. I will also feel happy if I can become a link between pro-baseball and all the fans in the future. Because through pro-baseball a lot of my dreams were granted, I want to return the favour as much as possible.
~*~
I will try to update OreOre summary next weekend.
(白球男子 Vol. 3)
"Take Me Out To the Ball Game"
When escorting such man, doesn't it seem we are watching a baseball game!? The one taking us to the baseball stadium today is Kamenashi Kazuya-san. We are taught about the fascination of baseball, the highlights of pro-baseball which is nearing its critical time [end games], and more by Kamenashi-san who currently works as caster for NTV's "Going!".
He wants to put everything into the projects and so show the greatness of the players
- Kamenashi-san, I heard that as a child you played baseball.
Kamenashi: I played it from my first year in primary school to my first year in middle school. I played about every position except first baseman. In my 6th year of primary school, I appeared in the "Nanshikiyakyuu [Nankyu] Baseball World Championship", at that time I mainly played second base and shortstop. Also at that time I admired the players Matsui (Hideki) and Ichiro. As for pitchers, I liked Nomo Hideo-san.
- Over two years have passed since you started as a caster for NTV's "Going!". Your position changed from a baseball fan to someone reporting about it. Did your point of view towards baseball change?
Kamenashi: About everything looks different now. I hear firsthand the stories of the players, I get taught baseball techniques, there is much to be seen behind the scenes that I didn't know when I watched it on TV. I came to understand that baseball is really profound and interesting. I like baseball even more now.
- What are you aiming for when you report about baseball in your role as a caster?
Kamenashi: I often convey to everyone through my own mouth the information and comments I have obtained from the players and the people concerned. Therefore I pay careful attention to not convey incorrect nuances.
- Kamenashi-san, you were a baseball fan from the beginning, do you enjoy collecting data/interviewing baseball players?
Kamenashi: I enjoy it. I entered Johnny's when I was 13 years old, from then on my life was cantered on my work in the world of show business and I couldn't watch/follow baseball carefully for almost 10 years. But in my work as caster I can now participate in baseball, all at once the feelings of my childhood have returned. Currently, when I have time I watch the baseball relays, and I also often read the sports papers.
- You have returned to the passionate feelings of your childhood when you were crazy about it and watched baseball.
Kamenashi: Yes. My admiration for the players has not at all chanced now that I have become a caster. They are people who are in a line of work that I dreamed of in my childhood, whether they are younger or older I have feelings of respect for them.
- In the TV show you actually participate in the training of the players, and you listen to the talk about technical aspects, you collect data getting quite to the core of those things. Because of that your feelings of respect seem to have become stronger and stronger.
Kamenashi: Yes. Pro-players are really amazing. Meeting them and listening to their stories, every time they instruct me on the techniques I have to sigh. The way I face my own work might also have been changed by coming into contact with first-class players.
- So, you are influenced by the players' professional sense. Actually, how was it to personally experience the players' training schedule.
Kamenashi: It was hard. The next day, my knees hurt and I couldn't go down stairs (*laughs*). Even though it was an independent training, I was driven to amazing levels. The players continue to do this every day, and furthermore they fight 144 matches, I can only say that it's amazing.
- In the TV show you currently tackle the "homerun project".
Kamenashi: Various players teach me techniques, it's interesting, every theory differs. There are various techniques hidden in [hitting] a homerun, I once more felt that that background is increasing every day.
- Your time limit is December 31st. Do you think you will hit the homerun?
Kamenashi: Because my opportunities/chances of being able to hit an official ball are limited, it's somehow annoying that I can't secure time to practice. But when I look at my batting I feel that compared to last year my technique has certainly improved. I certainly want to enjoy the exhilarating feeling when I hit a homerun, the people around me are also telling me, "We expect you to hit it!", above all I have to show results because a lot of players have taught me, an expert carved my bat for me, and I have really received a lot of collaboration from many sides for over two years.
- One actually fully realizes how difficult it is to hit a homerun, right.
Kamenashi: It's difficult (*laughs*)! But, it's natural for it to be difficult. For this project, I am not setting out to show how great it is that I can hit a homerun. I, an amateur who didn't hold a bat in over then years, am challenging the same thing as a pro, and seeing me not accomplishing it shows once again the "greatness of the pro-players". It my goal to show this. In my usual work it's natural to show perfect dancing and performing, so to expose the "myself that can't do something" was frankly quite bewildering in the beginning. But now it's simply that I hope to convey the greatness of the players through the things I challenge.
He continues his interviewing and challenges
He becomes a link [between the baseball world and the fans]
- It's the third season since you started as a caster, once again what is the charm of baseball?
Kamenashi: Every year, I am shown different struggles. Particularly, because this year there were many coach/manager changes, it was difficult from the start of the season to predict a pennant. For baseball the true charm is that it's not just theory. Every day a totally different match can unfold even though one battles with the same members.
- We are currently in the second half of the season, is there a player who is especially on your mind?
Kamenashi: Because player Naruse (Yoshihisa; Chiba Lotte), who is about my age, has currently (2012.08.18) the most wins, I personally wish for him to keep on going [stay ahead]. Of course, players of the same age or younger that take an active part become a big motivation.
- Kamenashi-san, you also do relay broadcasts from the stadium, can you tell us about the charm of a live game and the charm of a relay?
Kamenashi: Watching games live is of course intense. The sounds of the balls and the cheers make the players shine even more, seeing it is a really good feeling. In the relay, one understands the players' facial expressions and small gestures, you can hear about the real conditions, hear explanations and also know the drama of the players. Each holds a different kind of enjoyment. I think when watching the relay the way of looking at things when coming to the baseball stadium also changes, and also the other way round.
- You are currently challenging various projects, what do you want to challenge in the future?
Kamenashi: First, I want to do my very best at the homerun project. After it is over I want to get a better understanding while being taught by players for questions/problems that have come up. Then, previously I was allowed to collect data about the work of the Koushien's 'Hanshin Gardeners' [the gardeners who prepare the baseball field], and I think the people supporting pro-baseball from behind the scenes are also amazing. So I am thinking about actively going to collecting data from backstage workers too.
- Lastly, when you report about baseball as a caster in the future, tell us about the plans you have.
Kamenashi: In the TV show I had the chance and was allowed to mingle with the baseball youth of the disaster areas, it was a very good experience. I will also feel happy if I can become a link between pro-baseball and all the fans in the future. Because through pro-baseball a lot of my dreams were granted, I want to return the favour as much as possible.
~*~
I will try to update OreOre summary next weekend.