KQ2 Sports’ sit-down interview with Japanese pitcher for the St. Joseph Mustangs, Haru Takekawa

BRETT KENNEDY: "Joined with us this week is Mustangs pitcher Haru Takekawa from Japan, and we're going to have Ryota here, an intern for the Mustangs, translate for us! So Haru, let's start with this, where in Japan are you from?"

HARU TAKEKAWA: "I'm from Tokyo, Japan."

KENNEDY: "How's your first season been with the Mustangs so far and what have you liked about it?"

TAKEKAWA: "At at first I was a little bit nervous. American baseball is a little bit different from Japanese ball. But now I've gotten used to pitching over here and it's been going pretty well."

KENNEDY: "In the first few games you pitched real well for the Mustangs here for St. Joseph. What's been working for you on the mound pitching wise?"

Takekawa: "Well I've gotten a lot of strikeouts, so that's been pretty good."

KENNEDY: "You got to start on the 4th of July. Great start for you. 10 strikeouts. Uh, you allowed just 3 hits. What was it like to pitch in a big game like that with the fireworks going off and everything?"

TAKEKAWA: "July 4th is a very special holiday ovcer here in America. I tried to do my best that day on the mound, I got a lot of energy from the fans that day. The fireworks were good too."

KENNEDY: "What's it like pitching in this stadium in front of all of these Mustangs fans? I know it's a lot different from Japan. But what's it been like just pitching at Phil Welch here in front of all these fans?"

TAKEKAWA: "I usually don't care how many fans are in attendance, that doesn't matter with my pitching. But there's so many people at every game and I get a lot of energy from the fans cheering. I get good performances."

KENNEDY: " What's it been like living in St. Joseph for you, and what is your favorite thing to do in the city outside of playing baseball?"

TAKEKAWA: "I live in Tokyo, and Tokyo is very crowded compared to here. There's a lot of nature here which I like. I went fishing on my off day and really enjoyed it!"

KENNEDY: "Did you catch any fish?"

TAKEKAWA: "I caught two and it was the first time ever I fished as well! I think it might be my new hobby."

KENNEDY: "What's been your most favorite part about getting to play for this Mustangs team over the summer?"

TAKEKAWA: "Playing here has been a good memory for me that I'll always have. But I can't pick just one thing right now."