One of the most prolific hitters among foreign players in Japan, and a most fan- and media-friendly personality, returned to the country earlier this month to say "konnichi wa" and offer batting instruction to Japanese youngsters.

He's Alonzo Powell, a former Chunichi Dragons outfielder who found success playing in Japan more than 20 years ago after a brief major league career with the Montreal Expos and Seattle Mariners.

Powell, now 52 and a full-time batting coach with the American League Houston Astros, was back in Japan for a series of clinics, teaching kids the secrets of hitting. He was in Okayama and Akita Dec. 6-11, and we caught up with him by phone to get his thoughts about being back in the country, his memories of his time here in the 1990s and his current job in Texas.