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1871/1872 - Baseball is Introduced in Japan 

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1871/1872 - Baseball is Introduced in Japan 

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The exact start date of baseball varies according to who you ask.
On one side, a British historian claims that the game was first introduced in 1871, according to some English newspapers which talk about an organized baseball event in Yokohama (in a slippery swamp!), Japan. The game was played between American sailors and Japanese Civilians, with a final score of 15-11 across 4 innings.
On the other hand, the baseball hall of fame recognizes 1872 as the start date in which an American teacher introduced the game and its rules to his Japanese students at a school, now known as the University of Tokyo. The game soon became very popular.

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How did the sport spread from one place to another? Was it brought peacefully or forcefully?

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How did the sport spread from one place to another? Was it brought peacefully or forcefully?

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Baseball was introduced to Japan in the late nineteenth century and became the national sport during the early post-World War II period. Other American teachers and missionaries popularized the game throughout Japan in the 1870s and 1880s. From then on, the popularity of baseball in Japan grew slowly, and the first team was created in 1878. It was called the Shimbashi Athletic Club. The game of baseball (or field-ball in the 1870s, Japan) was introduced peacefully and had grown peacefully. The game was simply introduced as a fun, challenging, and skillful competition that had been enjoyed by others across the ocean.

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1873 - First Organized & Publicized Baseball Game 

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1873 - First Organized & Publicized Baseball Game 

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In 1873, an American teacher at Kaitaku University takes initiative and coordinates the "first formal baseball game in Japan."
Now you might be asking yourself, "What is the reason for all these American teachers in Japan?" It dates back to the Meiji Restoration - a transition period for Japan in which there was a shift from their medieval, feudalistic, and hermit structure to a more Western, imperialistic, and interactive governmental structure. American teachers were brought into Japan schools to teach Western ideals.

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What factors led to the growth of the sport?

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What factors led to the growth of the sport?

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The primary growth factor was the victory of Tokyo’s Ichikō High School in 1896 over a team of select foreigners from the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club as mentioned before. This event grew a lot of traction and was a key factor in the rise in popularity of baseball in Japan. Another influence was an MLB player in America named Lefty O’Doul who spread and acted as an ambassador for the sport in Japan before and after World War II. After Lefty’s support, a second team was created. However, at the time, these teams were only school teams. It was not until 1920 when the first professional Japanese team was created.

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1896 - Japan and United States Meet & Compete 

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1896 - Japan and United States Meet & Compete 

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First time ever that baseball teams from both the United States and Japan meet and compete. The U.S. loses badly, 29-4.
(Another small scorecard discrepancy)

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Was the sport embraced or was there resistance? If so, by whom?

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Was the sport embraced or was there resistance? If so, by whom?

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There was no resistance to the sport, yet it did not grow in popularity quickly. When introduced, it took off slowly but after the victory of Tokyo’s Ichiko highschool in 1896 the sport spread rapidly and quickly became the most popular and beloved sport in the nation. The media consistently praised the team for their accomplishments, even calling them “national heroes.” In addition, the game of baseball incorporates principles like discipline, precision, and teamwork; principles that can be seen when looking at Japanese culture, so it is no mystery as to why the game was embraced and supported.

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1936 - James Bonner Arrives Steps Foot in Japan

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1936 - James Bonner Arrives Steps Foot in Japan

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James Bonner, an African American pitcher with a lethal 'submarine pitch' arrived in 1936 to play with his new team: Dai Tokyo. This team had won very few games, so the organization was in dire need of a franchise player. James Bonner was a fantastic ballplayer, but had been ostracized from playing baseball in the professional leagues back in the United States due to his skin color. Bonner is one of many African American players to play in Japan at this time. His career in Japan demonstrates "a little-known story of friendship and mutual aid between Japanese-American and black baseball players at a time when both groups were shut out of organized baseball."

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In a time of world war and struggle, baseball was played by United States military members and Japanese troops. This is much like how baseball was played during the civil war in America years before.

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Was the sport changed in any way? How was it adapted to fit the new culture?

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Was the sport changed in any way? How was it adapted to fit the new culture?

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The sport was altered slightly when it made it overseas. For instance, there were two different leagues: one league was twelve innings or four hours of play while the other was 15 innings. Each league would allow ties and would not allow extra innings. Another difference is that the balls that they  used were a little smaller and are made from cowhide. They do in fact use the same rules but the Japanese strike zone is wider on each side of the plate by one ball in width. Most of the ballparks are also smaller than American stadiums.

A cultural difference in the sport can be seen in Japanese ballplayers’ determination. They had much more respect for their coaches and held them very highly. And there was more discipline involved in how their culture plays the sport. It still continues to be this way in the 21st century.

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1950 - Japan System Put In Place Inspired By America

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1950 - Japan System Put In Place Inspired By America

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Japanese professional baseball adopts a two-league system modeled on the U.S. Major Leagues. This indicates an overlap and connection between countries and how they play the same sport differently.

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1952-Present | Japanese and American Baseball Interactions - Player Trades, Organizations, & Investments 

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1952-Present | Japanese and American Baseball Interactions - Player Trades, Organizations, & Investments 

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Teams like the dodgers, white sox, red sox, yankees, and other baseball teams begin to trade with Japanese organizations. It isn't till the late 1980's until Japanese players receive awards in the MLB like Hideo Nomo. Nomo went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, even though he was twenty-seven years old and had a different experience in the Japan League. Nomo’s play was broadcasted live on giant television screens throughout Tokyo. Another example of Japanese players is in 2001, Ichiro Suzuki signed with the Seattle Mariners and led the league in batting as he claimed the AL ROY and MVP awards. Ichiro was immensely adored by Japanese people, creating huge publicity in the MLB and having some Japanese representation in the USA.

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What is the role of sport in Japan’s society today?

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What is the role of sport in Japan’s society today?

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Baseball continues to be the most popular sport in Japan and the reason why is in its history. The sport took off as a nationwide sensation in the beginning primarily due to the media, and that craze simply still hasn’t waned. Japanese people had realized how much they enjoyed watching, playing, and organizing baseball games, so they created leagues and a business and culture around it. The game’s technique and principles also can correlate to the values that Japanese people held and continue to hold. The game of baseball was voted as a favorite by a ‘whopping’ 49% of Japanese citizens last year.