As anyone who follows the baseball scene in Japan knows there has been some controversy regarding the contract status of Bobby V. Last year, it was originally reported that 2008 was to be Bobby’s last year with the team. All sorts of rumors were flying — US sports media reported that Bobby was rumored to …
Month: April 2009
Game Report: Softbank vs Lotte, 4/17
Another questionable weather day, another extra innings victory for Lotte! The weather looked truly dodgy all day, so most fans stayed away for this one. I was stuck in the office until after 10pm – so close to the game, yet so far. It turns out I could have made the ending even while leaving …
Game Report: Rakuten vs Lotte, 4/16
WOW! Talk about your dramatic comebacks, and stunning victories!!! In a game featuring several lead changes and ties, and 18 combined runs, Lotte comes back from down 7-4 in the 7th inning to tie, and ends it on a spectacular sayonara grand slam from Iguchi-senshu! Lotte isn’t known as a power team, but this game …
Game Report: Rakuten vs Lotte, 4/15
Just what the doctor ordered! I was in the outfield bleachers tonight with Patrick and his family for Lotte’s inspiring 7-1 victory over Pa-league leading Rakuten. All facets of the team were in sync tonight as gutsy pitching, clutch hitting, and solid defense brought and end to the 6-game losing streak. Karakawa pitched a great …
Game Report: Rakuten vs Lotte, 4/14
The Marines return home today for a wet tilt with Pa-league leaders Rakuten. The WBC trophy is also in attendance, so perhaps there’s some good mojo to be had after a disastrous 5 game road trip. Hmm, looks like not so much. Watanabe took the hill for his first start of the season vs up-and-coming …
Series report – Lotte vs Orix, Kyocera Dome
I haven’t yet blogged anything about this series as I was hoping to wait for an optimistic moment following the disappointment in Tokyo last week. I figured the next post should be on a positive note. Oh well. The two game losing streak became a 5 game losing streak, and the 2-1 record is now …
Series report, Lotte vs Nippon Ham, Tokyo Dome
As the site is just barely up and running, I figured I would wait to fix some odds-and-ends around here and blog this series a little later. John and I actually had tickets to the first game of this series, but he was unable to attend. While I gave thought to coming over to catch …
Lions Tamed by Marines
Steve has already covered the opening game on Friday night and since he preferred golf to Marines baseball!! I guess I have the honour of saying a few words about Saturday and Sunday at Marines stadium. Saturday – With Steve gone and a spare ticket available our friend Patrick joined me for Saturday’s fiesta of …
2009 Season Opener: Joy, and then…
The 2009 NPB season opener has come and gone. As expected, it was a spirited affair, with long queues for the fans for freebies and food, and an electric atmosphere in the stadium as all waited for the first pitch of the new season. Outside, much was going on, with free giveaways to commemorate the …
A season of optimism, as always
I don’t think that I am going out on a limb here when I say the start of the baseball season is possibly the most optimistic time of year. Baseball isn’t particularly unique in this regard, but the length of the season and the Springtime in the air somehow makes it more so than the …