Sylvia's Scenario

Why do people go down to Arizona for spring training? Let me count the ways.  First, to watch baseball in the sun. This is the best way to enjoy the sport. Period.  We don't get a lot of that in Seattle and when February/March comes along, a typical Seattleite really feels like being in some warmth and sunshine.  So, we head south to spring training.   Second, to see major league baseball players up close. This year, we were intrigued with Shohei Ohanti, a 23-year-old California Angel who came over from Japan this year who pitches and bats.  Yes, he does both.  We went to three Angel games during our trip to spring training and saw him get three at-bats.  He didn't get a hit, unfortunately.  He struck out once, ground out and popped up.  The other two games he didn't even play but instead he pitched for a B-class Angel team over at the Brewer's stadium in the morning that was close...

We may not understand Japanese but we understand baseball.  The rules of baseball in Japan are the same and the desired outcome is the same.  What else do you need to know?  We went to a Yokohoma Baystars baseball game with Nick while in Japan and we sat with some of Nick's co-workers - very enjoyable fellows.  Nick is taking off work during our visit but his co-workers had to come directly from work and they LOVE baseball.  Actually, the whole country loves baseball.  Baseball in Japan is like football in American or soccer in Europe.  They get REALLY into it.  And of course, when any Japanese player makes it to the MLB level in America, it is a really big deal.  Playing in  America is the ultimate goal for any Japanese player and  then that Japanese player will immediately become very famous in Japan, like Ichiro.  Since Ichiro played for the Seattle Mariners when he came to America and we are big fans...