In the Japanese Ballpark

Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball

Robert K. Fitts

• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781496245519
• Subtopic: Japanese History

Baseball is the national pastime of both the United States and Japan, but the two countries approach and play the game differently both on the field and away from it. To shed light on these differences and help fans gain a greater appreciation for Nippon Professional Baseball, Robert K. Fitts turns to the true experts, the people who play, oversee, promote, and watch the game, to find out what makes Japanese baseball special. In the Japanese Ballpark features engaging interviews with twenty-six baseball personalities to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the game.

Fitts speaks with participants in the games such as players, managers, and an umpire; support staff including an interpreter, trainer, and data analyst; front office personnel such as an owner, general and assistant managers, and marketing directors; ballpark workers including cheerleaders, a mascot, beer vendor, and usher; and professionals who surround the sport, such as baseball writers, a player agent, and a sports card dealer; as well as a league commissioner. Through their personal experiences, these individuals reveal the inner workings of the Japanese game and explain the cultural aspects that make Nippon Professional Baseball different from Major League Baseball.

In the Japanese Ballpark features interviews with Bobby Valentine, Trey Hillman, Matt Murton, Robert Whiting, Marty Kuehnert, Tomoko Namba, Ambassador Ryozo Kato, and many others. Their experiences and insights provide inside knowledge to make the fan experience more enjoyable, for both those watching a Japanese game for the first time and well as for seasoned followers.
 

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Illustrations
• Introduction
• Japanese Baseball Timeline
• Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Teams
• Glossary
• Part 1. Setting the Stage
• Part 2. On the Diamond
• Part 3. In the Ballpark
• Part 4. In the Clubhouse
• Part 5. The Front Office
• Part 6. The Business of Baseball
• Part 7. Conclusion
• Appendix A: Tips on Following NPB from Outside of Japan
• Appendix B: Tips on Collecting Japanese Baseball Cards and Memorabilia
• Appendix C: Tips on Attending Games in Japan
• Appendix D: Recommended English-Language Books on NPB
• Notes
• Acknowledgments
• Index