Going to be featured on TWIB Saturday
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl...b&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Turnin2;
Should be most interesting.
In 1988, our American National High School team [10 future Major League players] was invited to watch the Tokyo Giants and the Hanshin Tigers.
40,000 chanting, drum beating, flag waving fans were watching this intense competition between the two pro rivals.
Warren Cromartie was playing for the Giants coached by the famous Sadaharu Oh. Warren meet our players and said he will hit a HR.
In the 5 inning while kneeing in the "on deck" circle, he quietly pointed to right field.
Yes, he did hit the "intended" HR.
This was one of my best memories of 26 years with Japan baseball.
Bob Williams
Should be most interesting.
In 1988, our American National High School team [10 future Major League players] was invited to watch the Tokyo Giants and the Hanshin Tigers.
40,000 chanting, drum beating, flag waving fans were watching this intense competition between the two pro rivals.
Warren Cromartie was playing for the Giants coached by the famous Sadaharu Oh. Warren meet our players and said he will hit a HR.
In the 5 inning while kneeing in the "on deck" circle, he quietly pointed to right field.
Yes, he did hit the "intended" HR.
This was one of my best memories of 26 years with Japan baseball.
Bob Williams
Bob I have expressed my interest to you in Japanese baseball before. Do you have anything about their mental approach, physical approach, or anything? I think their ideas could really benefit high school kids.
Turnin 2:
You have several interesting questions. Maybe I can answer your questions with a history background of Japan HS Baseball.
In 1934, the NY Yankees team with my friend Lefty Gomez visited Osaka, Japan for a Goodwill Series of Games. On the Japanese team was an young college shortstop, Makino. Mr. Makino later became the President of Japan HS Baseball. When we started our High School Goodwill Series in 1983, I met Mr. Makino.
Several years ago, Mr. Makino passed away at age 94. He gave 80 years to Japan baseball and provide my history lessons. The Japan HS season is March to October, there are no travel teams only one team and one coach [teacher].
The 4,350 teams practice 6 days each week, play a few games and all have one goal Koshien [Osaka*.
In July, all 49 prefectures [States] begin the Regional playoffs. All HS Stadiums in the Regionals seat over 20,000. Each game is TV and the 30 media compete for the attention of the "hero" from each game.
In August for the past 88 years, the 49 Regional winners compete for the National Championship. 4 million watch the three games each day, 40,000 attend each game. All pitchers receive an X-Ray before the tournament begins.
During my 26 years in International HS Baseball, I have attended the National Tournament and was honored to be allowed to "roam" the stadium and to observe the "fans" and to meet the Officials from
Japanese corporate organizations who are humbled when watching the National Tournament.
Several times, I watched Mr. Makino prepare his speech for the final game. This speech is seen and listened to by millions of people.
Our American Team for 26 years, played the "All Star" team of this tournament 1 week later.
If you can read the 970 page book "Musaski" you can
understand the "Samurai" and the Zen-like self discipline needed to play high school baseball.
Enjoy the presentation today.
Thank you for your questions.
Bob
You have several interesting questions. Maybe I can answer your questions with a history background of Japan HS Baseball.
In 1934, the NY Yankees team with my friend Lefty Gomez visited Osaka, Japan for a Goodwill Series of Games. On the Japanese team was an young college shortstop, Makino. Mr. Makino later became the President of Japan HS Baseball. When we started our High School Goodwill Series in 1983, I met Mr. Makino.
Several years ago, Mr. Makino passed away at age 94. He gave 80 years to Japan baseball and provide my history lessons. The Japan HS season is March to October, there are no travel teams only one team and one coach [teacher].
The 4,350 teams practice 6 days each week, play a few games and all have one goal Koshien [Osaka*.
In July, all 49 prefectures [States] begin the Regional playoffs. All HS Stadiums in the Regionals seat over 20,000. Each game is TV and the 30 media compete for the attention of the "hero" from each game.
In August for the past 88 years, the 49 Regional winners compete for the National Championship. 4 million watch the three games each day, 40,000 attend each game. All pitchers receive an X-Ray before the tournament begins.
During my 26 years in International HS Baseball, I have attended the National Tournament and was honored to be allowed to "roam" the stadium and to observe the "fans" and to meet the Officials from
Japanese corporate organizations who are humbled when watching the National Tournament.
Several times, I watched Mr. Makino prepare his speech for the final game. This speech is seen and listened to by millions of people.
Our American Team for 26 years, played the "All Star" team of this tournament 1 week later.
If you can read the 970 page book "Musaski" you can
understand the "Samurai" and the Zen-like self discipline needed to play high school baseball.
Enjoy the presentation today.
Thank you for your questions.
Bob