Japanese Irked at U.S. Interest in Pitching Phenom

[filihok]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ugh/index.html

It may be difficult for American fans to fully grasp that kind of pressure to conform. Baseball is a team sport, to be sure, but U.S. training methods are perceived as lacking structure by the Japanese. Regimented practice is only the most obvious manifestation of the dedication to "the right way" in Japanese baseball. The behind-the-scenes aspects of players' lives, even with respect to those participating at the junior high school levels, is controlled and strictly organized. Breaking from "the right way" is an unthinkable act, one which most certainly would make an individual into a pariah, and so the history of this particular way goes on.

[JeepGuy63]

Strange that the article doesn't mention Tazawa's industrial league coach, a former NPB player, was very instrumental in his decision to look towards US rather than staying in Japan to pitch.

Also interesting there is no mention of the "agreements" between several teams to have a "first look" at players.

Not to mention the fact that Japanese Baseball is failing on a financial level and this "new way" of players leaving the Japanese system means no income generated from these players through the "Posting System".