Alright, let’s talk about why them Japanese folks love baseball so much, ya know? It ain’t somethin’ I figured out overnight, but I done heard some things and seen some stuff on that TV box, so I’ll tell ya what I know.
First off, it seems like some American fella, Horace Wilson his name was, brought this baseball thing over to Tokyo way back when. And wouldn’t ya know it, them Japanese folks took a real likin’ to it. It wasn’t just a game, see? It was somethin’ new, somethin’ excitin’. Like when that new fangled ice cream truck came rollin’ through town, everybody wanted a taste.
And then, I heard tell that even back in the 1930s, some famous American players went over there to show off their skills. That’s like showin’ a dog a new bone, ya know? They got hooked, and they ain’t let go since.
Now, some folks say it’s ’cause baseball ain’t too fast-paced. You got time to think, time to plan. It ain’t like them young fellas runnin’ around with that soccer ball, all helter-skelter. In baseball, you can see what’s comin’, mostly. You can figure things out. And them Japanese, they like to think things through, I reckon. They ain’t just gonna go swingin’ wildly at the first thing that comes their way.
- Strategy is key: They like to plan things out, just like plantin’ crops. You gotta know when to sow, when to water, and when to harvest. Same with baseball, ya gotta know when to swing, when to run, and when to hold yer horses.
- Individual Skill Matters: It ain’t just about the team, it’s about how good each fella is. Can he hit that ball a mile? Can he throw it like a rocket? That kinda thing.
Another big thing, it’s like, part of their identity now, ya hear? Like how we love our apple pie and Fourth of July, they got their baseball. They got these high school tournaments, the Koshien they call ’em, and everybody and their grandma watches ’em. It’s a big deal, a real big deal. Families gather ’round, cheer on their local team. It’s like a big ol’ town picnic, but with bats and balls.
They call it “yakyu” over there, which means somethin’ like “field ball,” I guess. And let me tell ya, them Japanese fans ain’t like us. We sit there, clap a little, maybe yell a bit. Them folks over there, they’re singin’, they’re dancin’, they got whole songs for their teams! It’s like a big party at the ballpark, every game.
And it ain’t just the pros, ya know? They got amateur leagues everywhere, sponsored by all sorts of companies. It’s like everybody’s playin’ or watchin’ baseball over there. It’s in their blood, like grits and gravy is in ours.
They even win all the time! I saw on the TV, they won that World Baseball Classic thingy three times already. Three times! They take it real serious, I tell ya. They train hard, they play hard, and they win hard.
So, if you ask me why them Japanese folks love baseball so much, I’d say it’s a whole bunch of things. It’s somethin’ they learned a long time ago, somethin’ they’re good at, and somethin’ that brings ’em all together. It’s more than just a game, it’s part of who they are. Just like how we love our country music and Friday night fish fries, they got their baseball. And that’s just fine and dandy, I reckon.
In short, baseball came to Japan and just fit right in, like a good ol’ pair of shoes. It’s excitin’, it takes skill, it’s part of their history, and it brings people together. What’s not to love, right?
Tags: [Japan, Baseball, Japanese Culture, Sports, History, National Identity, Koshien, Yakyu, World Baseball Classic]
