[Translation] 2010.12.24 TV Life (Kame)
I originally wanted to post this later, after I had time to check my translation, but that won’t be anytime soon. So here it is. Corrections are welcome.
2010.12.24 TV Life (Kame)
While Ueda-san is feeling well (*laughs*), I want to show him my home run
It has been over half a year since the broadcast started, Kamenashi-kun also has the impression of smartly handling the first time being a regular on sports’ news. However under the calm face lies a honest/steady effort.
“I am playing baseball in various programs, I think I also had a fairly Kamenashi = baseball like image. But just because I like baseball, I don’t have the knowledge to stand next to Egawa and to be able to appear in a sports program. Therefore I studied extra hard from the beginning. To the extent that I constantly watch the player list, desperately try to remember the players’ names and faces (*laughs*). As might be expected I have now grown accustomed to it, but every time I look over a newspaper, I try to understand the trends of the baseball world and the players.” Collecting data, is also closely related to the backside of the baseball world. The knowledge absorbed there, is something he couldn’t acquire anywhere until now.
“It’s all things to see, things to hear, things to be surprised about. Something with an especially deep impression was the draft meeting. Until now I didn’t experience something like that, it was a very tense atmosphere. Just being in the same room, the feeling of tension came across. It was fairly amazing mentally. I might have aged 5 years that day (*laughs*).”
On the other hand, because in practice to be able to stand on the field and sweat together with the players, it’s only Kamenashi-kun.
“When I try to do it together with them, I feel keenly the greatness of the pro-players. Regarding everything, their quality/level is different. For example at first glance an ordinary outfield fly ball soars into the skies, but because it starts to rotate when they hit it, it suddenly curves. I know that it’s that the visual judgment is misleading. After catching a grounder, it looks like they calmly/easily throw a ball, but in truth because their shoulders are strong it looks calmly/composed. A fielder usually throws a ~130km/h ball, right. When I do the same things, everyone becomes safe easily (*laughs*)”
Though he says it, it’s a remarkable thing because he is perfectly looking good.
“I seem to have a relatively good sense/style (*laughs*). But of course, when I aim to hit a home run, I feel my inexperience. It’s power and timing, and then finally sense. But, to catch hold of this sense and to keep it is practice. I also want to practice more but…. If I do it, it’s a hindrance to KAT-TUN’s work (*laughs*), it’s somehow difficult” and yet it’s like a man, he wants to carry out something he decided on once. Those thoughts/feelings made Kamenashi-kun’s body grow one size bigger. “While I practice, naturally my arms grow thicker. I was told by Maa-kun (Tanaka Masahiro), ‘They will probably become thicker than mine’ (*laughs*). I want to drill my lower body but if I do it I won’t be able to cover up the solidity. Already there came letters from the fans. ‘Please don’t forget KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi-kun’ (*laughs*). But, gradually I will also find a batting form that works well, the effects begin to be felt. While Ueda (Shinya)-san is feeling well I will hit a home run (*laughs*), and then return to a body used for dancing.”
His happily playing figure, and his figure when he is exchanging word with the players while smiling, is exactly the one of an eternal baseball youth. Seeing this Kamenashi-kun, there should also be a lot of people who understand the profoundness of baseball and its interestingness.
“I think, for baseball, when one doesn’t know the rules it’s awkward to approach, but for example because one finds a player they like, when one get into it one will be able to enjoy it. When a liked player strikes, catches or coolly throws. While seeing this, various things become clear, and baseball should become steadily more fun. I don’t know what I can do myself, but if I can contribute just a little to the baseball world I am happy.”