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Kenichi Zenimura, Japanese American Baseball Pioneer
This biography by Bill Staples, Jr. delves into the extraordinary life of Kenichi Zenimura (1900-1968), celebrated as the Father of Japanese-American Baseball. Scroll down for product details.
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Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams by Ema Ryan Yamazaki
Filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki describes Japan’s National High School Baseball Championship (more commonly known as “Koshien,” for the stadium it’s played in) as a combination of the Super Bowl (for the national popularity and significance of the title) and NCAA basketball’s “March Madness” (for its intense, single-elimination format). In this film, Yamazaki grants viewers an insider’s look into two teams’ journeys to Koshien.
But this is not just a film about baseball, for baseball fans – this is a dramatic tale of the fighting spirit, harmony, tradition, and discipline that are the bedrock of Japanese culture, and how they fit into modern society.
For more about this fascinating documentary, check out our review. Ema Ryan Yamazaki appeared on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” Zoom call in 2020 – check out our recap of that episode here. For an in-depth, first-person Koshien experience, check out this article by Tom McGuire.
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Lars Nootbaar 2023 Japan WBC Champs Signed 8×10 photo (2 variations)
$87.00Choose from two options of glossy 8×10 photos, each personally autographed by Samurai Japan and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, Lars Nootbaar. Scroll down for product details.
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Mashi: The Unfulfilled Baseball Dreams of Masanori Murakami, the First Japanese Major Leaguer
Did you know that 30+ years before Hideo Nomo, the San Francisco Giants had a Japanese pitching sensation on their club? I don’t blame you if you don’t, because Masanori Murakami’s tale is not well-known. “Mashi” had an adventurous and courageous spirit to pair with a talented left arm, and his place in history is iron-clad: he was the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball.
Read our full review of the book. Author Rob Fitts appeared on JapanBall’s “Chatter Up!” Zoom call in 2020 – check out our recap of that episode here. Want to own a piece of baseball history? Purchase an autographed Masanori Murakami trading card here.
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Matt Winters Autographed Nippon Ham Fighters Cards (3 variations)
$11.00 – $13.00After signing with the Nippon Ham Fighters in 1990, Winters quickly became the team’s best power hitter. He hit over 30 home runs in each of his first four seasons in NPB. While he was known for his clutch hitting, Winters also became a fan favorite for this lively personality. He would often be found dancing between innings and entertaining his teammates during delays in play. Winters retired after the 1994 season.
Choose from three different cards autographed by Winters; his 1991 NPB rookie card, 1993 BBM card, or his 1994 BBM card.
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Mr. Baseball
For most people, Mr. Baseball is their gateway into Japanese baseball, and we’re OK with that! The film does a good job showing the sometimes-bizarre and always-interesting life of a gaijin (foreigner) ballplayer in Japan.
Jack Elliot, played by Tom Selleck, is a talented but aging Major League Baseball player who finds himself traded to the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. The movie showcases Elliot’s challenging adjustment to life in Japan and features many comical moments as he tries to acclimate to the cultural differences and customs of Japan and Japanese baseball.
The film does a good job of showing the contrasts between American and Japanese baseball cultures and is a decent introduction to NPB. It highlights the respect for tradition and importance of teamwork that is inherit in Japanese baseball versus the more individualistic approach we often see in Major League Baseball. While at first, you might not find Elliot to be a particularly charismatic protagonist, we’re willing to bet you’ll find yourself cheering him on and rooting for his redemption and success in both baseball and life.
If you’re a fan of the classic sports underdog story and comedy, Mr. Baseball is a heartwarming and humorous watch.
(Click below for streaming options, and if you want to order the DVD or Blu-Ray, click here.)
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Nichibei Yakyu: Baseball Tours of Japan
SABR has published a unique two-volume set titled Nichibei Yakyu: US Tours of Japan to mark the 150th anniversary of baseball in Japan. This collection, the first in English to do so, chronicles the visits of over 100 American and Hawaiian baseball teams to Japan since 1907. Scroll down for product details.
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Noise Cancelling, Extra Bass Earbuds
These are essential for the long flight to Japan!
If your earbuds are Apple “flash” compatible or Bluetooth, then you’ll be stuck on the plane with those cheap airline earbuds that have no bass and sound like you’re watching a movie in the airplane’s hanger. In my carry-on bag, I always bring a pair of higher quality earbuds that I can plug into the on-board entertainment system. Plus, they double as earplugs when you want to sleep!
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Portable Phone/Tablet Charger
I love this little charger. It has been a lifesaver on long train rides and flights. The 4.8A output means It even charges your phone faster than a wall outlet does! In addition, it has two USB outlets, meaning you can charge two things at once. If you are travelling in pairs, you only need one power bank. It’s a great size and weight, so it doesn’t weigh you down or take up too much space. When fully charged, it holds enough power to charge your phone several times over, but can also charge tablets, ear pods, cameras, or any device that utilizes a USB charger. Be sure to bring it along for long days exploring new cities or traveling between ballparks and never worry about running out of phone battery again. It’s an absolute must have for keeping your devices ready to capture all the magic of our baseball tours.