Kimie Kitamura

Kimie is kind, nurturing and attentive to the children around her. She does not interfere excessively in Kou's decisions, but she notices when something is troubling him and responds as a concerned parent rather than simply accepting his habit of acting unaffected.

Her home is also comfortable enough for Aoba to visit freely. Aoba's fondness for Kimie's croquettes becomes a recurring domestic detail linking the neighboring Kitamura and Tsukishima families.

Kimie helps operate Kitamura Sporting Goods with her husband and manages much of the family's domestic life. No competitive baseball background is established for her.

Cooking is one of her notable everyday skills. Her croquettes are especially popular with Aoba, who is willing to visit the Kitamura home specifically to get them.

Kimie appears within the family life surrounding Kou from the beginning of the series. Her role provides a view of Kou away from school and baseball, particularly through the close relationship between the Kitamuras and Tsukishimas.

After Wakaba's death, Kimie worries about Kou and initially thinks he should remain home rather than attend the summer festival. Kensaku instead recognizes that getting out may help their son and gives him money to go.

As Kou becomes increasingly committed to baseball, Kimie follows his progress and supports him alongside the rest of the family.

Kou Kitamura is Kimie's only son. She is protective of Kou Kitamura without attempting to dictate the course of his baseball career.

Kensaku Kitamura is Kimie's husband and her partner in Kitamura Sporting Goods.

Aoba Tsukishima is a frequent visitor to the Kitamura household and particularly loves Kimie's homemade croquettes. The familiarity reflects the longstanding closeness between the neighboring families.