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Click
here for a full program report (PDF: 4.02 MB)
Following the success of the program
in 2004, NAJAS, in cooperation with the Arizona Diamondbacks and
the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, established a two-week baseball
camp tour for American and Japanese boys aged 13 to 15 to be held
in Hokkaido, Japan. The American contingent also traveled to Tokyo
and Chiba to take part in events hosted by the Nippon Professional
Baseball teams. The purpose of the camp was to provide baseball
instruction and a cross-cultural experience, and to encourage young
baseball players to learn more about each other and each other's
countries.
Ten American baseball players along
with two coaches were selected from the Phoenix area by the Arizona
Diamondbacks. The selection criteria were based not only on the
candidates' baseball skills, but also on their interest in having
a cross-cultural experience. Seven baseball teams, one in Tokyo,
two in Asahikawa, and four in Sapporo, participated in various baseball-related
activities. In Asahikawa and Sapporo, Japanese players were chosen
not only for their interest in baseball, but also for their families'
willingness to host the American boys in their respective cities.
Click here for a full program report (PDF: 4.02 MB)
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Day 1 - July 11th in Phoenix,
AZ
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Day 4 - July 14th in Chiba
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Day 5 - July 15th in Tokyo
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Day 6- July 16th in Hokkaido
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Day 9- July 19th in Hokkaido
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Following the success of the
program in 2004, the National Association of Japan-America Societies
(NAJAS) is preparing the second round of the baseball camp exchange
between American and Japanese teenagers, as well as coaches. This
program is conducted in cooperation with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Training Centers, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, and the Major
League Baseball Japan.
The purpose of the camp is to provide baseball instruction, cross-cultural
education for the campers, and to encourage Japanese teenage boys
to learn more about America and American teenagers to learn more
about Japan.
This year, it will be a reciprocal program from 2004, and a group
of ball players and coaches will be traveling to Hokkaido, Japan
to participate in baseball camps and various events hosted by the
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. There will also be a few days in Tokyo
where the group will be hosted by some Japanese Professional baseball
teams, arranged by Major
League Baseball, Japan.
Click
here for MLB Press Release in English (PDF: 62KB)
Click
here for MLB Press Release in Japanese (PDF: 62KB)
Baseball, rich in the history of the U.S.-Japan relationship, provides
an excellent platform for teenagers of the two countries to be exposed
to another culture. Cross-cultural interactions are an important
function of international relations, and if we are to strengthen
our bilateral relationship for future cooperation, it may well begin
on the baseball diamond.
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