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Click
here for a full program report (PDF: 973KB)
As one of the activities commemorating the 150th Anniversary of
U.S.-Japan relations, NAJAS worked in cooperation with the Arizona
Diamondbacks and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to establish a
two-week baseball camp for Japanese and American boys ages 13 to
15 to be held in Phoenix, Arizona. The Japanese contingent also
traveled to Los Angeles and Seattle to take in some Major League
Baseball games. The purpose of the camp was to provide baseball
instruction, cross-cultural education, and to encourage the young
baseball players to learn more about each other and each other's
countries.
Eighteen Japanese baseball players along with three coaches to
accompany the group were selected from Hokkaido by the Hokkaido
Nippon Ham Fighters and the Hokkaido Baseball Association. The selection
criteria were based not only on the candidates' baseball skills,
but also on their interest in having a cross-cultural experience.
The 18 American baseball players were chosen by the Diamondbacks
from the Phoenix area. The Diamondbacks selected those who had participated
in the Diamondbacks Training Centers in the past and whose families
were willing to host the Japanese boys for seven days in Phoenix.
NAJAS Associate Director Yusuke Tanno joined the 18 Japanese baseball
players and three coaches at the beginning of the program in Sapporo
and stayed with the group throughout the program, saying good-bye
to them in Seattle. After having a special pre-departure ceremony
at the Hokkaido Prefectural Government offices on July 30, the group
traveled to Phoenix, Arizona. The Japanese teenagers stayed in pairs
with the nine host families for the entire duration of their stay
in Phoenix. Aside from some special events such as the cultural
orientation, a Diamondbacks Premier Stadium Tour and some home games,
the boys spent nearly all of their spare time with their host families.
The activities for the Japanese coaches were specially arranged
by the Diamondbacks staff. The baseball camp was held every evening
with 18 American teenagers and 10 Diamondbacks coaches. The camp
menu was uniquely tailored for the needs of this program, and the
Diamondbacks coaches and the Japanese coaches went over the menu
both before the camp started and during the camp. On the final day,
the Diamondbacks arranged a day trip to Sedona where the players
had a game and wore their special program uniforms.
After spending seven days in Phoenix, the Japanese players and
coaches traveled to Los Angeles, CA, and Seattle, WA to watch the
Dodgers and the Mariners play home games in their respective cities.
The group also enjoyed a number of special activities such as having
a surfing lesson in L.A. and a harbor cruise in Seattle. The group
arrived back home safe and sound in Hokkaido on August 14.
The program was conceived and consultation with potential collaborating
organizations begun in October 2002. In April 2003, NAJAS received
an official agreement of cooperation from the Arizona Diamondbacks,
and in July from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Before the program
started on July 31, 2004, NAJAS staff made two trips to Japan and
one to Phoenix for programmatic coordination and arrangements.
Funding for the program came from the Freeman Foundation, All Nippon
Airways, the US-Japan 150th Anniversary Project Sponsors and special
donations from four individuals.
Click
here for afull program report (PDF: 973KB)
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| 36 camp participants and 10
coaches before a game in Sedona, AZ, on August 6, 2004 |
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| Speed training in the Diamondbacks
baseball camp at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on August 3, 2004 |
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| Catchers practicing throwing
stance in the baseball camp on August 4, 2004 |
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| A Japanese player with Coach
Caruthers on August 5, 2004 |
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| A pre-game recognition ceremony
at the Bank One Ballpark as the participants, coaches, and D-backs
and Fighters logos are displayed on the screen on August 6,
2004 |
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| Host families and participnats
at the Bank One Ballpark during a home game on August 6, 2004 |
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| The Japanese players and Japan-America
Society staff observing batting practice f at Dodger Stadium
on August 8, 2004 |
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| The Japanese players and coaches
at Safeco Field after a home game on August 10, 2004 |
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