In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Kaima Taira (平良海馬), the Seibu Lions ace closer who has dominated Japanese baseball with a legendary 1.88 career ERA across seven NPB seasons. For the first time ever, Kaima Taira speaks in English!From his devastating slide step that makes elite hitters look foolish to his ambitious quest to throw 170 km/h (105 MPH), Taira opens up about his journey from a tiny 6-player junior high school team in Okinawa to becoming one of the most feared closers in Japanese baseball.Key Topics Covered:The secret behind his slide step technique that baffles elite hittersWhy his high school coach's advice changed his entire pitching approach foreverHow he prepares differently as a starter vs closer (spoiler: he doesn't prepare much as a closer)The mental game of closing tight games with bases loaded and 40,000 fans screamingHis devastating pitch arsenal: 100+ MPH fastball, unhittable cutter, and why he switched from splitter to changeupFacing Japan's best hitters like Yanagita (SoftBank) and why the Fighters lineup is so dangerousHis YouTube channel documenting the quest to throw 170 km/h and why that final 10% is nearly impossibleLife as a new father while still throwing 100+ MPH (spoiler: no sleep, no video games)Growing up in Okinawa as a Chiba Lotte fan and watching spring trainingHis off-season hobbies: fishing in beautiful Okinawan waters and terrible golfWhy he'd be a YouTuber if he wasn't a professional baseball playerWhether you're fascinated by elite pitching mechanics or want to understand what separates NPB's best closers from the rest, this episode delivers rare insights from someone operating at the absolute pinnacle of Japanese baseball.Kaima Taira is the ace pitcher for the Seibu Lions with a career 1.88 ERA across seven NPB seasons, known for his devastating slide step and 100+ MPH fastball while pursuing his goal of throwing 170 km/h.🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 日本の100マイル・クローザーが打てないスライドステップの秘密を明かすエピソードノート: 西武ライオンズのエース・クローザー平良海馬が、NPB通算防御率1.88という伝説的な成績を誇る投手として、沖縄の6人制高校チームから日本最恐のクローザーまでの軌跡を語ります。主要トピック:打者を翻弄するスライドステップの秘密先発とクローザーの違い柳田悠岐など日本最高打者との対戦170km/h達成への挑戦新米パパとしての生活Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 キーワード: 平良海馬、西武ライオンズ、NPB、クローザー、スライドステップ、100マイル🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 일본의 100마일 마무리 투수가 치기 어려운 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀을 공개에피소드 노트: 세이부 라이온즈의 에이스 마무리 투수 타이라 카이마가 NPB 통산 평균자책점 1.88이라는 전설적 성적을 자랑하는 투수로서, 오키나와의 6인제 고교팀에서 일본 최강의 마무리 투수까지의 궤적을 들려줍니다.주요 주제:타자를 농락하는 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀선발과 마무리의 차이점야나기타 유키 등 일본 최고 타자들과의 대결170km/h 달성을 향한 도전신임 아빠로서의 생활Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 키워드: 타이라 카이마, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 마무리 투수, 슬라이드 스텝, 100마일