Kaima Taira uses data and science in pursuit of pitching perfection

Lions starter Kaima Taira pitches against the Marines at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba on March 29. | JIJI

Sep 14, 2026

Kaima Taira’s biggest weapon might not be a right arm that can sling a baseball at 160 kph (99.4 mph). It might instead be the brain that helps him figure out how to do it in the first place.

​​Taira might be Japanese baseball’s most data-driven pitcher. The Seibu Lions star likes data and numbers and is intrigued by the science that has underpinned baseball since the game’s analytics revolution. By combining a mind like an engineer’s and the acumen of an ace pitcher, Taira intends to find out just how good he can be.

“It’s about thoroughly analyzing what I should do to increase velocity,” Taira told The Japan Times about his study of data and biomechanics at Belluna Dome over the weekend as the Lions prepared to face the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. “So in that regard, understanding things like how I generate velocity and how velocity is generally generated, can also be useful when teaching others or kids.

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