America's Past Time??

very interesting article. i believe it is true and so sad a statement for us.

i have alway's felt that instead of young kids playing 60 games they should have 70 practices. it's cheaper than travel ball,they would get more out of it.


maybe i was ahead of the learning curve?

I found this line interesting:

"After South Korea left the field, Japanese infielders took fungoed grounders at almost infield-in depth, pushing their reflexes so the real game would feel easier, not unlike how a hitter might swing three bats in the on-deck circle."

A few years ago my husband and I were watching a coach hit easy grounders to his team before the game, and I asked him why bother hitting them so softly; they weren't going to get many softly hit balls in the game. He said it was to "build their confidence." Didn't make much sense to me. "Pushing their reflexes so the real game would feel easier" makes more sense.

LHPMom

Infield Dad and 20 Dad;

From my personal visits to Japan and the study of the Japanese and Korean players in our Goodwill Series since 1983.

The work ethic begins in high school. Japanese coaches are regarded like a 16th Century lord. The players study the history of the samurai as to preparation and study of the "9 Rings".

There is the respect for the game and for the team.

If a high school baseball player plays in Koshien home of the National HS Tournament, he will have a job for life.

Please review our web site <www.goodwillseries.org>.
I have posted our Goodwill Series "All Star" team.

There is no doubt in my mind that our Americans can defeat the Japan and Korea teams. You maybe interested in the last book wriiten by the great David Halberstam before he was killed in an auto accident in SF.

The book is "Everything they Had"

Many short stories, especially Reggie Smith and his year in Japan. Other interesting books "Summer of 49";"October 64" and the "Reckoning" 800 pages tracing Ford Motor Company and Nissan after WWII.

At a Japanese tea ceremony, I was asked to explain this book. It was the history of the auto industry and quite well could have been the history of International baseball.

Bob

Bob,
Thank you very much for your wonderful insights and experiences.
Have you read "You Gotta Have Wa?"
It is a wonderful read about baseball in Japan, about the National pride and importance of the Koshien, and about American's adjusting when they play in Japan. It is a very impressive book talking about the history of baseball in Japan and the respect that surrounds playing the game, and playing it right.
My Father-in-Law is a huge baseball fan. He was born in Los Angeles, interned during WWII, and then served as a civilian in our Army Corp of Engineers for over 50 years, stationed primarily at a US base in Japan.
I have learned so much from him.
He and his wife live just outside Tokyo. They have been emailing while staying up all night to watch these games.
As with many aspects of life these days, it might be that the US team could beat either Japan or Korea.
But, as you point out, it was not many years ago that was being said about U.S automobiles.
My expectation is that so long as MLB continues to be driven by power numbers, the long ball, and playing "station to station" type "Billy Ball," it will take top players like Ichiro to succeed in MLB.
But, when MLB gets on an international stage where speed, fundamentals, execution, pitching and aggressiveness are part of the team concept, the results could be similar to what we are seeing in the WBC.

.

quote:

Originally posted by 20dad:
maybe i was ahead of the learning curve?

I've seen what you do to those learning curves 20dad...



...you flatten them!

INFIELD DAD:
Thank you. Have you traveled to Japan. It is a remarkable country. A great study in contrasts.

Our hitters in BP were pulling all my BP pitches.
During the game they were pitched outside and hit easy ground balls.

Our player [one who three years later hit 32 HR in college at LSU] never understood the ability of the Japanese coach and the pitcher to respond perfectly to the instructions to pitch on the corner. Another American player now coach with Oakland was hitting great HR in BP.

In the game he never receive a pitch
in the same location.

I asked the opposing coach how did he pitch to our hitters. He said your American hitters "out of control".

End of this story.
Good night Infield dad;

Bob