Dead Ball (JPN Baseball Thread)

[GuyJean]

I wonder what they do at Yankee stadium. They use the audio from the Yes network, and also from Fox. Do they use their own cameras as well. Or I wonder if they use the same feed but then cut in with their own shots every once in a while.

Yep. You're right]AK have you ever watched the superbowl here in Japan, its the same thing. They refuse to show the replays etc. So you can here the commentators talk about the play but we only get to see the shot of the field, or the fans. Don;t know why.[/quote] Not sure, but I think they televise the 'international' broadcasts of both the Superbowl and World Series; it's different than the 'domestic' broadcast.

GJ

[GuyJean]

British TV's coverage of sumo must leave some Japanese gnashing their teeth.

What's sumo?

I'd think sumo would rank somewhere at the bottom of sports the Japanese watch. (If it doesn't, it's probably one of those cultural pride statistics heavily tipped by bullshit); it's on too early, most matches are probably still fixed, and only the gaijin dominate now.. Why would the Japanese want to watch sumo?

GJ

[canman]

Remember all of the events we are talking about are broadcast in English in the first place. The expense is adding the Japanese commentary IMHO. What kills me is when Wowow does the US Open and they are using the feed from USA network but they don't have the English commentary they have Japanese or some weird music.
In Britain Mulboyne when they broadcast Sumo do they only have English commetators? Also do you have multi lingual tv's in Britain? Honestly I don't know. I was surprised when I went home and my parents bought a new tv and it had this SAP button where you could change some programs into Spanish. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can tell you there is a very small Spanish speaking population in Canada.
Ak the international announcers really suck. A few years ago they had a British rugby guy helping out, but he didn't know what the hell he was talking about.
Also during the world weries you get the Gary Thorn Rick Sutcliffe duo. They aren't bad, but they are doing the games for MLB Int"l and they take these insane emails from some guy named Feliz in the Phillipines" who wants to know why the pitcher and catcher don't just yell out the signlas instead of flashing them with their fingers?"
Back to J-BB I was watching NHK last night and they were showing how Bobby Valentine is really working hard at building fan support for Lotte. Also I was so happy ot hear that Rakuten does not allow people to bring in horns and drums and the like. I hope this is something Marthy Kuenhert has introduced. The game I watched had none of the choreographed chanting or anything like that. Only fans watching and chearing good plays.

[Captain Japan]

Also during the world weries you get the Gary Thorn Rick Sutcliffe duo. They aren't bad, but they are doing the games for MLB Int"l and they take these insane emails from some guy named Feliz in the Phillipines" who wants to know why the pitcher and catcher don't just yell out the signlas instead of flashing them with their fingers?"

If you compare Rick Sutcliffe to Tim McCarver then he's not bad. But compare him to anybody else and he is the reason the mute button was invented.

[AssKissinger]

Anybody else watching Hanshin vs Gomiuri? It's cats and dogs out there. What's it take to get a rain delay in Japan?

[canman]

That is why Japanese baseball wil never be taken seriously. Somebody is going to get hurt. The camera is so rain soaked you can barely see what is going on, side camaera that is. Watch one of Hanshin's poor Gaijin players will likely get beened and then it will be blamed on the wet ball.

[Mulboyne]

December 2004 Nomura Report on Japanese Baseball (PDF)

[kamome]

Nomo gets ripped by Red Sox in 10 - 0 loss

Nomo (1-1) allowed eight runs on five hits and five walks in two innings and saw his ERA balloon from 1.50 to 10.12.

"He was all over the place with the ball. Very little command,'' Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said. "We tried to get him some more work after he gave up the runs, but it was obvious he wasn't going to go very long in the game.''

Asked if he thought the 44-degree temperature might have hurt Nomo, Piniella said, ``Maybe. What part of Japan is he from, the north of Japan or the south of Japan? Maybe the cold weather.''

Anyone know where Nomo is from?

[canman]

I think he is from Osaka, if I'm not mistaken. If you mean high school though I don't know.
Off topic, have any of you noticed the weird way the NHK gives the baseball standings. For example Rakuten should be about 10 games out of first place right now, but according to the NHK way they are 3 games behind the next to last place Buffalos. What a fucked up way to show the standings. Are they afraid to show that some team is 36 games out of first place. They do it in the majors.

[GuyJean]

For example Rakuten should be about 10 games out of first place right now, but according to the NHK way they are 3 games behind the next to last place Buffalos.

Yeah, it's one of those quirky TIJ things.. I think they show the number of games back from the preceding team, not the first place team..

Remember: the Japanese tend to appreciate things being more difficult than they need to be; makes em feel smarter.

BTW, went to the Fighters - Eagles games last night; not a bad turn out or game; Shinjo got nailed in the nuts while waiting in the batting circle then hit a homerun.. The Rakuten players seemed really small but very fast..

GJ

[dimwit]

Anyone know where Nomo is from?

Osaka

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5375

[AssKissinger]

That is why Japanese baseball wil never be taken seriously. Somebody is going to get hurt. The camera is so rain soaked you can barely see what is going on, side camaera that is. Watch one of Hanshin's poor Gaijin players will likely get beened and then it will be blamed on the wet ball.

I like watching sports in crazy weather though. That's the main reason I hate domes. I went to see the Carp last week and they have a cool outdoor stadium. Here's a pic


Say, does anybody know about this guy for the Hawks, Zuleta? He's already got nine homers.

[Papa-Lazarou]

So is baseball still slowly dying, as Japan wakes up from its obsession with all things American and realises just why no-one cares about Baseball outside of the US?

hmm?

[AssKissinger]

So is baseball still slowly dying, as Japan wakes up from its obsession with all things American and realises just why no-one cares about Baseball outside of the US?

hmm?

Japan has been playing baseball for a hundred years and baseball is popular in several countries around the world.

[dimwit]

I like watching sports in crazy weather though. That's the main reason I hate domes. I went to see the Carp last week and they have a cool outdoor stadium. Here's a pic

The Carp were in Matsuyama of the weekend and it is a pity you couldn't be here to see them. Botchan Stadium is a fine (but horribly underused) facility.

[Papa-Lazarou]

So is baseball still slowly dying, as Japan wakes up from its obsession with all things American and realises just why no-one cares about Baseball outside of the US?

hmm?

Japan has been playing baseball for a hundred years and baseball is popular in several countries around the world.

Cuba
Korea
Japan
Dominican Republic
Mexico
China


Even bloody cricket is played in more countries than that

[FG Lurker]

So is baseball still slowly dying, as Japan wakes up from its obsession with all things American and realises just why no-one cares about Baseball outside of the US?

hmm?

Japan has been playing baseball for a hundred years and baseball is popular in several countries around the world.

Cuba
Korea
Japan
Dominican Republic
Mexico
China

Even bloody cricket is played in more countries than that

You can add Canada to the list too, and I seem to remember the Aussies had a not-bad team at the last Olympics.

Baseball may not have the same world-wide audience as Soccer but it certainly has a following in the countries it is played in.

[cstaylor]

Even bloody cricket is played in more countries than that

At least AK is posting from Japan, UK boy.

[Papa-Lazarou]

Even bloody cricket is played in more countries than that

At least AK is posting from Japan, UK boy.

yeah, i am at home at the mo

I dont get back in town till June, sadly

[kamome]

Here's a pic

I've been to that stadium. It definitely is cool.

[canman]

I've never really like this guy or the way that the press cover him with his "boncho" title, the boss. But why is he trying to look like Barry Bonds? With the big diamonds in his ears and the do rag, or whatever they are called these days. I think he looks a little silly.
Congrats to Furuta for getting his 2000 hit. I think he is one of the greats of Japanese baseball, especially after last year when he was doing all the negotiating with the union, calling the strike and still playing as a catcher no less.
AK how much are tickts to the Carp games btw. I would love to head down to Sendai and catch a game. Even though they are pretty bad now,I hope the fans will continue to support them.

[AssKissinger]

AK how much are tickts to the Carp games

A very reasonable 1500. Plus, you can bring your own beer. Also, they have the good sense to walk around selling beers. At the San Frecce (J-league) games you have to get off your ass everytime you need a new beer. Bring the beer to me motherfuckers! I'm trying to watch the game.

http://www.gethiroshima.com/en/Events/details?eventid=653

I would love to head down to Sendai and catch a game.

I don't think you'll have to go all the way down to Sendai. I heard they're gonna play some games in a nice new stadium they built in Akita.

Barry Bonds

Fuck him.



Another keitai pic from the game

[bunchoffuckinggoofs]

Congrats to Furuta for getting his 2000 hit. I think he is one of the greats of Japanese baseball

I'd say "baseball" period after watching him all these years. If only he had been born a bit later...

[Mulboyne]

What is up with Kiyohara? I've never really like this guy or the way that the press cover him with his "boncho" title, the boss. But why is he trying to look like Barry Bonds?

I saw him on TV the other day and he looks a lot bigger than I remember. I wonder whether Japanese players use steroids

[cstaylor]

I saw him on TV the other day and he looks a lot bigger than I remember. I wonder whether Japanese players use steroids

I think he just got big and fat. He's not called the Statue for nothing (he's known for taking the inside pitch for a free walk to first).

[bunchoffuckinggoofs]

I saw him on TV the other day and he looks a lot bigger than I remember. I wonder whether Japanese players use steroids

I think he just got big and fat. He's not called the Statue for nothing (he's known for taking the inside pitch for a free walk to first).

I have always hated that guy. When I went to games and he was on the field, I wanted to scream "you fucking bum, your dad's a crew slut" or some such nonsense. It could be my innate anti-Yomiuri sentiment or it could be that the guy just seemed to be one of the only players I ever thought was overpaid in Japan. Of course, my own insanity is part of the problem, too.

I guess when he was with Seibu I didn't hate him quite so much, but at this point I'd like to see him get thrown at once a game. But why throw at a guy who is a sure out 75 percent of the time? When I see Ichiro on TV here I just laugh my ass off. That idiot Statue was dreaming of playing for the Giants while Ichiro had his sights on something much bigger.

[canman]

At first base the guy is a liability. He can hit the odd homerun, but I really think he should just hang them up. Give him his 500th and then put him out to pasture. bunchoffuckinggoofs, I agree with you, I hate the way the media focuses on him, like he is God's gift to baseball. Why don't they look at Jojima of the Hawks, or anybody from the Pacific league. Hell even NHK has a bias towards the poor saps in the Pa league. I wonder did they nickname it the Pa league to mean its crazy to compete with the Cnetral league. As in the Japanese expression "kuru kuru pa!"

[bunchoffuckinggoofs]

Jojima is an excellent all-round baseball player that does not get nearly enough press. Exactly.

Kiyohara has become some sort of media moron. Ugh, you are right. Put him out to pasture far from any TV camera.

The Pacific League is interesting. Great games that nobody gets to see on TV. Major league GM's probably know more about the league than the Central League advance scouts.

[Captain Japan]

Frustrated Rhodes lashes out at teammates
AP

TOKYO (AP) -- Yomiuri Giants outfielder Tuffy Rhodes is tired of losing, and has some harsh words for his teammates.

``I hate the Giants,'' the Nikkansports newspaper quoted the former major leaguer as saying after a 7-5 loss Tuesday to the Yakult Swallows. ``Everybody is lousy, I hate this.

``Our pitchers throw the ball right down the middle of the plate and I take the blame?''

The Swallows scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to hand the struggling Giants their fifth straight loss. After the loss, Rhodes was reportedly singled out at a team meeting for not hustling on a double by Alex Ramirez that allowed Yakult to score the go-ahead run.

The Giants, who have one of the highest payrolls in Japanese baseball, are in last place in the Central League with an 8-14 record, 6 1/2 games behind the league-leading Chunichi Dragons.

As Japan's most popular team, the Giants face tremendous pressure each year to perform. When things don't go well, it's often the foreign players who take the blame.

Earlier this month, the Giants put pitcher Dan Miceli on waivers after the former Houston Astros right-hander blew several save opportunities.

Rhodes, a 10-year veteran of Japanese baseball, signed with the Giants in 2004 after eight seasons with the now-defunct Kintetsu Buffaloes.

He hit 45 homers last season for the Giants and had 55 in 2001 to tie Sadaharu Oh's single-season record.

[canman]

Why not call out some of the pitchers who couldn't throw little league ball. Or that fat ass Kiyohara. Oh sorry they are the real talent.
But Rhodes knew what he was getting into when he signed the contract. It's not like it is the first time the Giants have done this, and I'm sure he is loving the money they are paying him. How much would he be earning back in the big leagues. I don't think as much.