Japan

Last Friday, one of the worst natural disasters occurred as Japan was hit with an 8.9 earthquake that set off a train reaction of tsunamis. Over the last few years we have seen many countries, including our own, succumb to the power of nature. There is such a helpless feeling when something like this happens, but there are ways to help out, including donations.

Japan has become rich in baseball tradition over the course of the last century. Baseball took off after a few MLB all-stars showcased their talent overseas in 1934 as part of their Far East Tour. You may have heard of one of them: George Herman (Babe) Ruth. Shortly after in 1936, Japan had created their own professional baseball league.

The culture of Japan has always interested me, in particular Samurais and their discipline. As a baseball fan, I began to follow the development of other baseball cultures closely. Japan's discipline and focus have led to a very different, but exciting style of baseball. The game has certainly evolved because of the Japanese impact. Actually, there are baseball schools in Japan where kids practice baseball every single day, mixed in with education of course.

Japanese players have certainly changed the American game to an extent. Players like Ichiro, Matsui, and Nomo have all made their mark on American soil. I will look for more Japanese imports in the near future. We all hope that Japan rebounds quickly and our thoughts and prayers are with every Japanese player in America as well as their entire country.