May 11 , 2003 - page 3



most Americans these two things are as essential to baseball as Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, but sadly here in Japan they don’t exist. Also the Japanese give the “count” in a different order. Japanese use a strikes, balls, outs order, while Americans use the balls, strikes, outs system. Team references are different. For example in America we know the team by their location and mascot (i.e., Cincinnati Reds), while here in Japan the teams are known by their main sponsor and mascot (i.e., Yomiuri {a newspaper company} Giants).

That being said, the excitement level at a Japanese baseball game is unparalleled in America. Japanese games remind me more of the fervor associated with World Cup soccer–bands playing rally songs on trumpets and drums, fans chanting the entire game, and making tremendous noise with their clappers. Hideki Matsui and Suzuki Ichiro, two former Japanese players that have since joined major league baseball, have become superstars here in Japan. This season is Matsui’s first season in the majors and the novelty hasn’t yet worn off, nor does it look like it will anytime soon. Everyday in the sports section he’s dedicated an entire page, whether he has a game or not. I‘ve also discovered something else interesting regarding baseball. In my searches for Japanese League souvenirs, I’ve come up empty-handed; yet American Major League stuff is in abundance.

Yesterday I decided to hop on my bike and go exploring on my own. With the entire city awaiting me, I decided to ride wherever my heart lead me. I left at noon and my first discovery was the famous Ichinosakagwa River. This river is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms and fireflies. The river runs through the heart of downtown Yamaguchi and brings a very relaxed and serene aura to the bustling streets.