Japan-America Youth Baseball Camp 2005

This program is made possible in part by ANA-All Nippon Airways. NAJAS would like to thank for their generous and continuous support.

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)

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.

Baseball-related Organizations:

• Major League Baseball, Japan
• The Arizona Diamondbacks Training Centers
• The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
• The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants
• The Chiba Lotte Marines
• Hokkaido Baseball Assoication
• Japan Pony Baseball Association
• Hokkaido Sun League Federation of All Japan Young Hardball League
• Hokkaido Little Senior Federation of All Japan Little Baseball Association

Japan-America Societies:

• National Association of Japan-America Societies
• Japan-America Society of Arizona
• Japan-America Society of Hokkaido

Government:

• U.S. Embassy of Japan
• U.S. Consulate General, Sapporo
• Hokkaido Prefecture Government
• City of Sapporo Municipal Government

Program Sponsors:

• The Freeman Foundation
• ANA-All Nippon Airways
• Major League Baseball Japan
• The Arizona Diamondbacks Training Centers
• The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
• Outback Steakhouse
• McDonald's Company(Japan), Ltd.