Journal

A high school player kneeling on the infield, filling a small bag with dirt
What Is Koshien? Why Japan’s High School Baseball Tournament Matters
When a Japanese high school player says they want to go to Koshien, they mean more than a trip to a ballpark. Here is how the tournament works and how... Read more...
A Japanese player in a pinstriped uniform watching a night game from the dugout
What Is NPB? A Fan’s Guide to Japanese Pro Baseball
Twelve clubs, two leagues and a postseason where a third-place team can still win it all. A fan’s guide to following Japanese pro baseball. Read more...
Fans cheering with towels, trumpets and noisemakers at a night game in Japan
Why Do Players Have Their Own Chants? A Guide to Japanese Baseball Cheering
Player songs, rally songs and walk-up music. How to listen to a Japanese ballpark, one plate appearance at a time. Read more...
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Hardball vs. Rubber-Ball Baseball in Japan: What Changes When You Choose a Glove?
Kōshiki or nanshiki? In Japan, two gloves that look alike can be built for different balls. Here is how to read the label before you buy. Read more...
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Japanese Baseball Glove Brands: Mizuno, Zett, and Kubota Slugger
The wrist patch gets you to a listing. The series and model number tell you how the glove will play. A guide to three Japanese makers. Read more...
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Is This Baseball Glove Made in Japan? How to Read Its Stamp and Label
A Japanese brand, made in Japan and ships from Japan are three different facts. How to read the stamp, label and model number on a used glove. Read more...
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How to Choose a Japanese Infield Glove for Second Base, Shortstop, or Third Base
Start with the plays you expect to make. How to compare reach, pocket and transfer when you choose an infield glove for second, short or third. Read more...
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What Is Katazuke? How Japanese Baseball Gloves Are Shaped and Broken In
Katazuke is about the shape, not just soft leather. How Japanese gloves are shaped, and how to read the shape of a used glove before you buy. Read more...
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Inside Miyake, Nara: A Japanese Town with a Baseball Glove-Making Tradition
A small town in Nara has made baseball gloves for over a century and once shipped millions to the U.S. The story behind Japan’s glove-making tradition. Read more...
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What Is Shakaijin Baseball? A Guide to Japan’s Company Teams and the Intercity Baseball Tournament
Company teams, city names on the bracket and players who join a rival for the national stage. A guide to Japan’s shakaijin baseball. Read more...