We left 21 runners on base, now that could be another record. I am not sure, but it might be the first time the USA has ever lost to Japan. It is interesting playing a country when not a word is understood. The only hope is for us to ask Michele Smith. Michele has played in Japan for a number of years now.
Japanese softball is run differently than the U.S. program.
There are companies that have teams, for example the Toyota company sponsors a team. And sponsoring a team there is very different. They hire their players, the player's job is to practice for six hours per day and do something else for two hours. When Michele first went there, she was to learn Japanese and their customs, now she does some teaching of English. The pay is very good.