Ohayo. Ohayo. New Jersey.

A couple months ago, Japan won its second consecutive World Baseball Classic (WBC) after defeating team Korea in the championships.  We watched the games during lunch breaks at school and the office.  They always ask me which team I like, and I always just give a shrug of my shoulders.  I find baseball to be rather boring (although the Ichiro craze has rubbed off a bit).  At a Mariners’ game back in Seattle, I read a book while they proceeded to get slaughtered by the Red Sox.  My indifference to baseball is practically a crime here.  EVERYONE is in to baseball.  They’ve all got their favorite players and teams.  The baseball clubs here practice an ungodly amount of time, putting American little league to shame.  I’m curious as to why this specific sport has taken off with such huge popularity here.  It probably has something to do with the influx of American culture after the war, but still, the degree of fanaticism is remarkable. 

 Our local yakiniku joint (table-side barbecue restaurant) is absolutely bonkers for the Hanshin Tigers.  The area around the checkout counter is plastered with memorabilia, newspaper clippings, and photos of the players.  The owner always wears orange and blue, the team’s colors.  Oh and get this, his two sons, both of whom are my students, have their hair cut in a specific way to resemble the team’s mascot.  They don’t just do this for the baseball season…it’s all year long.  It would be cruel to force them to cut it like that, but dad does it too, so maybe it’s just cool.  And yes, they are always in their blue and orange tracksuits.

 I’m a little curious though about the baseball culture here in Japan, especially with the big steroids controversy back home.  Does anything like that happen here?  I know the sumo profession is riddled with corruption, but has baseball been able to steer clear of those traditional pitfalls?  Looks like I’m going to have to bone up and make my way to a game.  Watch out Ham Fighters (it’s the Sapporo team…don’t ask), I’ll be watchin’ you!