Two popular Japanese baseball teams, Tigers and Giants declared that they got the permission to have their opening game in CA, USA next season. Sports organizations in USA such as NBA,MLB, or NFL have held some sporting event in foreign countries. But it is the first trial for Japaneses baseball organization to hold official game in foreign country. It is innovative and I think this project should be done for the globalization. Creating new market in USA is going to be very beneficial and the introduction will give potential American baseball fans the opportunity to become interested in Japanese baseball and Japan.
But many Japanese fans disagreed to this innovative project. Both of two teams that will hold the game are the most popular teams in Japan. They have bee rival for a long time and the tickets of their games are sold out every time. They are like Yankees and Redsox in MLB. So, Many baseball fans in Japan are excited to watch the their opening game. The game is just 1/144(Japanese Baseball team have 144 games throughout season) but opening game is special. However, they will miss the game. That's why people disagree. Sports should consider fans as more important than anything else. To satisfy more fans, it is natural to think the games should be held in Japan as usual.
We have to make sure that the globalization is important in sport, or any business field. It is innovative action and first step of introduction of NPB(Japanese Professional Baseball) to USA. I know many fans will miss the opening game which the fans expect after the long winter. But I agree the trial taking a long view of NPB's global development.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Sport is the reflection of the society
In the international sport contests, which people around the world watch, the players are representative of the country. For the people watching the game, the behavior of the players and the reaction of the media directly affect the image of the country. If the player and the media do well with sportsmanship, the country is also recognized as a respectable country, government, media and nation. However some players or media show immature attitude in the game and bring shame on the country.
In 3rd WBC, I saw a case that is a negative aspect of "Sport is the reflection of the society". It is South Korea's media reaction. South Korea lost in the 1st round in Taiwan and couldn't come to Tokyo 2nd round. Then, The president of KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) reacted on the Korean, Center Daily News(韓国・中央日報). He said"The players couldn't got used to lifestyle in Taiwan. And the equipment and environment for practice was terrible. They couldn't have enough relaxation time and food didn't suit them." What do you think about this comment? It may be the cultural difference. But these excuses never give good impression to people. When one lost, one should recognize the loss and motivate oneself for the next game. I believe this is the sportsmanship. At least people who know the comment don't respect it. And some people may think the country has same nature as the comment.
In the widely noticed contests, not only the players but also the staff and media should take care about their comment and behavior not to give negative impression to the world.
In 3rd WBC, I saw a case that is a negative aspect of "Sport is the reflection of the society". It is South Korea's media reaction. South Korea lost in the 1st round in Taiwan and couldn't come to Tokyo 2nd round. Then, The president of KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) reacted on the Korean, Center Daily News(韓国・中央日報). He said"The players couldn't got used to lifestyle in Taiwan. And the equipment and environment for practice was terrible. They couldn't have enough relaxation time and food didn't suit them." What do you think about this comment? It may be the cultural difference. But these excuses never give good impression to people. When one lost, one should recognize the loss and motivate oneself for the next game. I believe this is the sportsmanship. At least people who know the comment don't respect it. And some people may think the country has same nature as the comment.
In the widely noticed contests, not only the players but also the staff and media should take care about their comment and behavior not to give negative impression to the world.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Sportmanship and Friendship
WBC, the only one official professional and international baseball tournament has finished with the victory of Dominican Republic. I have a lot of things about WBC to write, so I am still going to stay in the WBC world. Actually, the game that moved me most is neither the final nor the semi-final that Japan lost. The most impressive game was the POOL 1 game by Taiwan, 1st of POOL B and Japan, 2nd of POOL. This game may have the surprisingly important meaning in terms of the friendship of the both countries.
The first thing moved me was the Japanese messages that appreciate the support of Taiwan for Japan. 2 years ago. Japan had a huge earthquake and TSUNAMI. over 20 thousands people died. Then, Taiwan was the country that donated to Japan most. However I want to say thank you to ALL countries and people that helped Japan in the situation, I also know people in Taiwan helped and Gave many messages to support us through Internet. Since that time, Japanese have wanted to say thank you to the friends in Taiwan in public. The THANK YOU messages include the love and appreciation.
The game was amazingly competitive and exciting. Sho Nakata's sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning lifted the defending champion Japan to the 2nd round in SF. Then, Taiwan was driven in the corner. They had to win the game against the Netherland to go to SF round. While Japanese players and fans were pleased, I watched the excellent behavior of Taiwan's players. At the center of the field, they bowed deeply to fans. when the team lost the important game, they are likely to behave abruptly. But they looked very polite.
After the game, the Japanese and Taiwanese fans hugged and praised each other. Some Taiwanese write "Congrats! Japan!! World Champion!!" on Taiwanese national flag. It is obvious that this game and behavior impacted people in both countries and made their friendship deeper.
Sport is"the reflection of the society". Sport can be the bridge between countries all over the world.
The first thing moved me was the Japanese messages that appreciate the support of Taiwan for Japan. 2 years ago. Japan had a huge earthquake and TSUNAMI. over 20 thousands people died. Then, Taiwan was the country that donated to Japan most. However I want to say thank you to ALL countries and people that helped Japan in the situation, I also know people in Taiwan helped and Gave many messages to support us through Internet. Since that time, Japanese have wanted to say thank you to the friends in Taiwan in public. The THANK YOU messages include the love and appreciation.
The game was amazingly competitive and exciting. Sho Nakata's sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning lifted the defending champion Japan to the 2nd round in SF. Then, Taiwan was driven in the corner. They had to win the game against the Netherland to go to SF round. While Japanese players and fans were pleased, I watched the excellent behavior of Taiwan's players. At the center of the field, they bowed deeply to fans. when the team lost the important game, they are likely to behave abruptly. But they looked very polite.
After the game, the Japanese and Taiwanese fans hugged and praised each other. Some Taiwanese write "Congrats! Japan!! World Champion!!" on Taiwanese national flag. It is obvious that this game and behavior impacted people in both countries and made their friendship deeper.
Sport is"the reflection of the society". Sport can be the bridge between countries all over the world.
Japanse fans show the appreciation for 3.11 support
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Interpretation and a slip of the tongue
WBC 1st round has begun for POOL A and B. Then, the mass media play the important role to make it successful as a big international sport event. But at the same time, we, fans, need media literacy as the media become active.I found an article about WBC from Japanese web news. It posted a comment of the manager of Cuba and criticized his comment.
『We never know to lose. We will win to go to USA. If we couldn't achieve it, it would be a catastrophe, just like TSUNAMI.』(I translated from original article, Japanese to English)
This article criticized this comment as unconsidered words. As you know, a huge earthquake occurred in Japan 2 years ago and caused TSUNAMI, killing over 20,000 people. But did he really mention the Japanese case? I think it depends on each interpretation. He commented in Spanish and the article is written in Japanese. So it may be mistranslation. But it seems that this article tries to inflame hostility of Japanese against Cuba.
Fortunately, many people found this trick and do not feel disgust for the Cuba manager, but for the journalist. Such as this case, some mass media set feeling operations for nationalism or bond. Then, we need media literacy, the ability to analyze and evaluate the information. As well as media literacy, the influential people have to be careful when they speak in public, avoiding being considered a slip of the tongue.
『We never know to lose. We will win to go to USA. If we couldn't achieve it, it would be a catastrophe, just like TSUNAMI.』(I translated from original article, Japanese to English)
This article criticized this comment as unconsidered words. As you know, a huge earthquake occurred in Japan 2 years ago and caused TSUNAMI, killing over 20,000 people. But did he really mention the Japanese case? I think it depends on each interpretation. He commented in Spanish and the article is written in Japanese. So it may be mistranslation. But it seems that this article tries to inflame hostility of Japanese against Cuba.
Fortunately, many people found this trick and do not feel disgust for the Cuba manager, but for the journalist. Such as this case, some mass media set feeling operations for nationalism or bond. Then, we need media literacy, the ability to analyze and evaluate the information. As well as media literacy, the influential people have to be careful when they speak in public, avoiding being considered a slip of the tongue.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
European Baseball
According to dictionary, giant-killing means "the defeat of a team by much weaker opponent". It is the most interesting game for me. But do you think "Netherlands beat Cuba in baseball" is it??
The Netherlands which is famous for soccer beated Cuba which is ranked first in the world. Both team had apractice game in Taiwan for WBC. Many baseball fans would expect Cuba win easily. But the result is 5-0. the Netherlands won. I wondered the strongness of the Netherlands and checked them and I found surprizing acievements.
TheNetherlands is not famous for baseball because they have one of the best soccer team in the world. But actually, they participated in past WBC and beated Dominican Republic twice. 2011, they beated Cuba and won the chamion of 39th IBAF World Cup. Dutch baseball is developing a lot recently.
I think the reason why they are strong is that players fron Curacao Island play in Netherlands national team. It is a fact that soccer is the most popular sport in Netherlands. But in Curacao it is baseball. Curacao Island is located at about 60 km northern from Venezuela. There are many baseball player and some of them play in MLB and NPB.
I wan to introduce 2 players fron Cracao Islands. One is he clean-up,Wladimir Balentien. He plays in Japan and got Home-run king of 2011 season. He hit a home-run againsy Cuba yesterday. The other player is Andruw Jones. He plays in Japan but used to be a best out-fielder in MLB. He hit 434 home-runs in his career and he have got many titles.
According to the research, I don't think the game of Netherlands and Cuba was "giant killing". If they become dark horse, WBC will be much more interesting. Check them out!!
The Netherlands which is famous for soccer beated Cuba which is ranked first in the world. Both team had apractice game in Taiwan for WBC. Many baseball fans would expect Cuba win easily. But the result is 5-0. the Netherlands won. I wondered the strongness of the Netherlands and checked them and I found surprizing acievements.
TheNetherlands is not famous for baseball because they have one of the best soccer team in the world. But actually, they participated in past WBC and beated Dominican Republic twice. 2011, they beated Cuba and won the chamion of 39th IBAF World Cup. Dutch baseball is developing a lot recently.
I think the reason why they are strong is that players fron Curacao Island play in Netherlands national team. It is a fact that soccer is the most popular sport in Netherlands. But in Curacao it is baseball. Curacao Island is located at about 60 km northern from Venezuela. There are many baseball player and some of them play in MLB and NPB.
I wan to introduce 2 players fron Cracao Islands. One is he clean-up,Wladimir Balentien. He plays in Japan and got Home-run king of 2011 season. He hit a home-run againsy Cuba yesterday. The other player is Andruw Jones. He plays in Japan but used to be a best out-fielder in MLB. He hit 434 home-runs in his career and he have got many titles.
According to the research, I don't think the game of Netherlands and Cuba was "giant killing". If they become dark horse, WBC will be much more interesting. Check them out!!
Friday, February 22, 2013
World Champion
Baseball season is coming. But this year 2013, we have special baseball event before regular season. It is World Baseball Classic. I am looking forward to watch the games because it is the only official international baseball game.
But I know that it is just pastime for many of American and MLB players because the world series is the final goal for them and it is the very important game, deciding "World Champion".
What is the "World Champion"?
Many of good players around the world come and play in MLB from USA, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Japan etc... MLB may be the best league in the world. Then, what I want to say is that many players comes to MLB, but NOT all.
The players in South America dream to play in MLB because they can earn much more money than players in their countries. and MLB is more popular than the local baseball league. How about Japan and Korea? I describe the situation of Japan. It is obvious that NPB, Japanese Baseball league, is much more popular than MLB. and the baseball kids dream to play in Japan. As they think so, many good players play in Japan. Some of them may be as well as the title holders in MLB.
From the fact that Hideki Matsui has had World Series MVP as a member of Yankees, Ichiro recorded the most hits in MLB, and Japan won the WBC champion twice, it can be said NPB is as well as MLB.
I hope the Asia champion and MLB champion have the "real" World Series instead of WBC in near future to decide the "WORLD CHAMPION".
But I know that it is just pastime for many of American and MLB players because the world series is the final goal for them and it is the very important game, deciding "World Champion".
What is the "World Champion"?
Many of good players around the world come and play in MLB from USA, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Japan etc... MLB may be the best league in the world. Then, what I want to say is that many players comes to MLB, but NOT all.
The players in South America dream to play in MLB because they can earn much more money than players in their countries. and MLB is more popular than the local baseball league. How about Japan and Korea? I describe the situation of Japan. It is obvious that NPB, Japanese Baseball league, is much more popular than MLB. and the baseball kids dream to play in Japan. As they think so, many good players play in Japan. Some of them may be as well as the title holders in MLB.
From the fact that Hideki Matsui has had World Series MVP as a member of Yankees, Ichiro recorded the most hits in MLB, and Japan won the WBC champion twice, it can be said NPB is as well as MLB.
I hope the Asia champion and MLB champion have the "real" World Series instead of WBC in near future to decide the "WORLD CHAMPION".
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Ustream
Do you like Ustream?
Ustream is a streaming platform established in 2007 in USA. It is similar to Youtube. The big difference is that Ustream is watched mainly as streaming rather than posted movie. It has many kinds of program such as music concert, sport game, or wild life. It is also used as a sport communication tool. I actually watch Japanese baseball game through Ustream and I found three reasons why it could develop so rapidly.
The first reason is that it is free. It is same as Youtube. This style may be essential for new web technology to be popular. Just like other popular and free web system such as LINE, Facebook, Twitter, Ustream also makes a lot of profit by advertisement.
Next, the second reason is that it can be used around the world. As I described, Ustream started in USA. But on April 2010, Softbank, Japanese huge IT company, invested in Ustream and Ustream Asia was created as a first foreign Ustream. In addition, Ustream kept progress all over the world. Today, more language such as Spanish, French and Russian are available.
The final reason is the network system. Ustream has a chat board beside the picture,where people can communicate each other watching the game or movie. And what's more, it can connected with Twitter and Facebook. If you write your comment in the chat board, your comment is displayed in your Twitter and Facebook. Your comment will attract some of your friends. You automatically advertise the Ustream.
This is not only streaming site but also communication place. As the popularity of Twitter and Facebook represent, I think any new web system need to have an aspect as a communication place to be popular today.
It may be coming soon that Japanese and American baseball fans discuss with great heat watching baseball game.
Riku Kawasaki
Ustream is a streaming platform established in 2007 in USA. It is similar to Youtube. The big difference is that Ustream is watched mainly as streaming rather than posted movie. It has many kinds of program such as music concert, sport game, or wild life. It is also used as a sport communication tool. I actually watch Japanese baseball game through Ustream and I found three reasons why it could develop so rapidly.
The first reason is that it is free. It is same as Youtube. This style may be essential for new web technology to be popular. Just like other popular and free web system such as LINE, Facebook, Twitter, Ustream also makes a lot of profit by advertisement.
Next, the second reason is that it can be used around the world. As I described, Ustream started in USA. But on April 2010, Softbank, Japanese huge IT company, invested in Ustream and Ustream Asia was created as a first foreign Ustream. In addition, Ustream kept progress all over the world. Today, more language such as Spanish, French and Russian are available.
The final reason is the network system. Ustream has a chat board beside the picture,where people can communicate each other watching the game or movie. And what's more, it can connected with Twitter and Facebook. If you write your comment in the chat board, your comment is displayed in your Twitter and Facebook. Your comment will attract some of your friends. You automatically advertise the Ustream.
This is not only streaming site but also communication place. As the popularity of Twitter and Facebook represent, I think any new web system need to have an aspect as a communication place to be popular today.
It may be coming soon that Japanese and American baseball fans discuss with great heat watching baseball game.
Riku Kawasaki
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