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Hiroki Kokubo, Samurai Japan head Coach, Starts Visits to 12 Training Camps. Checks on Yuki Matsui (Tohoku Rakuten) and Takahiro Norimoto (Tohoku Rakuten).

2/1/2014TopTeam

On Saturday, February 1, 2014, 12 professional baseball teams started their spring camps. Hiroki Kokubo, Samurai Japan Head Coach, paid a visit to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' camp in Kumejima.

As soon as he arrived there, Hiroki Kokubo took a look at the bullpen. He watched Eagles' pitchers, including Yuki Matsui, this year's No.1 draft choice, and Takahiro Norimoto, last year's rookie king.

Head Coach Kokubo is scheduled to visit all 12 teams' spring camps by Friday, February 7.

Q&A with Head Coach Kokubo

--About Yuki Matsui (pitcher)

He has really lived up to expectations with outstanding pitching. He reminds me of Kimiyasu Kudo. He looked nervous when he was pitching with Motohiro Shima (a regular catcher), but he was doing fine, throwing strikes from the first ball.

--First day of the visit

First of all, I came here to express my appreciation to the team for having sent players to Samurai Japan in November, and to ask for their continued cooperation.

--What type of players would you like to see?

I already saw experienced players last year, so I want to see power and energy of the new young players.

--Did you see that in Matsui?

Yes, I am happy to have seen him pitch.

--You were also looking at Takahiro Norimoto, right?

He threw excellently with firm finger control. I have watched Yudai Mori since he was playing at Higashi Fukuoka High School, and his growth in this year has been significant. When Matsui started pitching, Mori's pitching also became faster.

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