The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-12-31
BASEBALL IN JAPAN.
The American Game Has Captured
the Youngsters of the Mi
kado's Realm.

none have taken snch a hold upon the
japanese as the American national
game. In fact, II is really the only
game which Is continually played year
after year with ever-increasing popu-
larity. Only Of late have the japanese
taken up football and tennis; the for
mer only by one or two schools with
very little success, while tennis is
gathering in favor in several directions
and WILL without doubt, be a game in
which they will ultimately excel. But
baseball is eminently suited to the agile
japanese, and from the start they have
taken TO II like duck to water. It has
proved so popular that all the large
cities throughout Japan. and many a
little village. San boast baseball nine.
some OF them three and four.
Baseball was frst introduced into
Japan about 25 years ago, when the
American residents Of Yokohama be-
gan playing the game in matches
against men.ofwar stopping In port
The Japanese, however, did not take IL
up until about 1887, when Mr.. Hlra-
Okla, who had been in America for sew
eral years, taught the game to several
of the schools Of Toxic, on his return
10 Japan, and from that time It's popu-
larity was assured. The game spread
rapidly among the students OF nearly
every school in Toxic II was some
time before any Of them could play II
with any degree of success, although
taOse interested availed themselves OF
the opportunity OF learning the game
by watching the foreigners play In
Yokohama when the chance offered.
In 1890 the first high school or Toxic
won the championship. and they have
since that time been acknowledged the
finest players in Japan. quite record
to hold for 10 years. Since then this
particular school has only been beaten
once or twice by the various foreign
teams of Yokohama and the crack
mines OF the American navy visiting
Japan The Mobiles school OF Toxic has
also another excellent team. while for
hard work and enthusiasm II Is hard
10 beat the Yokohama Commercial
school This year, for the first time in
the history OF baseball in Japan, the
team of this school arranged tour
throughout the empire, playing games
In the most prominent cities. II was
this same school that started what is
called "all day matches" commencing
at 7:3O In the morning and keeping IL
mp all day in series OF class games.
three innings at a time. as long as day
light would permit This new depar-
ture WILL no doubt be taken up by
several OF the schools next year. bring.
Ing the already popular game more
prominently before the public eye
The Japanese as players are really
excellent They play with a coolness
and steadiness that is wonderful. Their
fielding Is beyond criticism. though
much complaint has been made In fe-
gard 70 the gloves they wear. Nearly
the entire team. from catcher to right
field. use almost the same mitt OF
japanese make. Although rather
small, Il is true. yet IL Is not a glove
and certainly would not be allowed II
the rules were strictly followed This
mitt Is really responsible for their su-
perb fielding, though anyone who has
watched them closely comedies that
they would In time do Just az well II
they kept to the regulation glove
Their throwing is remarkably strong
and accurate, Il being IN this branch Of
the game that they most excel. Bat.
ting is their weakest point They ara
rather small 10 use regular American
bats that carry the ball though 3
gradual improvement IN this depart
ment Of the game Is noticeable. As
base runners they are 1.-THE and active.
and in light sort OF semi-Japanese
uniform and usually bare legs and feet
they steal bases with great ease Good
japanese pitchers are not numerous.
though the best, as twirlera. are fairly
effective Some Of the Japanese pitch
ers have mastered several OF the
curves. though the majority throw
nothing but a straight swift ball.
keeping their heads remarkably In
To emphasize the spirit with which
baseball is played in the mikados em-
pire, the following ls a good example:
party Of tourist were walking IN tho
outskirts Of Yokohama one Sunday
when, coming 10 little field at the
back OF village. they we're surprised
10 find a baseball game In progress.
The players were dlmunltive native
urehins from six 20 ~ years old. all
playing with an enthusiasm wonderful
10 see. All the rulings were yelled In
English. with an accent that was truly
laughable. The umpire, a little young
ster Of II. ofiiciatlng with an lmpor-
tant. serious air, called out in loud
voice his decisions. which we're rarely
disputed Foul ball was called "fanru
barru." out al first. "hrsu bassu outo:"
one ball. zone baTTu;" two stril,u."
lndeaeribably funny but perfectly clear
even 20 the tourists. One Of them apa
preached what he thought looked Ike
the captain OF the team then batting