The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-11-19
BASEBALL IN JAPAN.
The American Game Has captured
the Youngsters of the MI
kado's Realm.

or all the games foreign to Japan,
none have taken such hold upon the
japanese as the American national
game. In fact. 1t 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 game in
which they win ultimately excel. But
baseball Is emlnently suited to the agile
Japanese. and from the start they have
taken to Il like a duck TO water II has
proved SO popular that all the large
cities throughout Japan, and many a
little village. 1an boast a baseball nine.
some of them three and four.
Baseball was first introduced into
Japan about rs years ago, when the
American residents OF Yokohama be-
gan playing the game In matches
against men.of.war stopping In port
The Japanese, however, did not take II
up until about 1887. when Mr., Hira-
Okla. who had been in America for sew
eral years, taught the game to several
of the schools OF Toxic, on his return
20 Japan. and from that time its 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
those 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 nigh school OF Toxic
won the championship. and they have
since that time been acknowledged the
finest players In Japan, quite record
to hold for 13 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 It 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 a 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 1880 in the morning and keeping Il
up 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 GOODNESS
and steadiness that Is wonderful. Their
fielding Is beyond criticism. though
much complaint has been made in re-
gard to 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 It Is not a glove.
and certainly would not be allowed If
the rules were strictly followed fAis
nit IS really responsible for their su.
porh fielding. though anyone who has
watched them closely comedies that
they y-ould In time do Just as well If
they kept to the regulation glove.
Their throwing is remarkably strong
and accurate. it being in this branch of
the game that they most excel Bat
ting Is their weakest point. They are
rather small to use regular American
bats that carry the ball. though
gradual Improvement In this depart
mont of the game is noticeable As
base runners they are 1.-THE and active.
and in a 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 twirlers. are fairly
Elective Some Of the japanese pitch
.ers have mastered several OF the
curves. though the majority throw
nothing bat a straight swift ball
lecning their heads remarkably In
.ughi places
10 emphasize the spirit with which
oasaball is played In the mikados em-
plre. the following is good example.
4 narty Of tourist we're walking Ia the
OF skirts Of Yokohama one Sunday
when. coming to little field at the
back OF q village. they we're surprised
70 dnd a baseball game IN progress.
The players we're dlmupltlye native
Hfchins from SIS to ~ years old. all
playing with an enthusiasm wonderful
TO see. All the rulings were yelled In
English. with an accent thar was truly
lsuahabIe. The umpire a little young.
aier Of II. ofhciating with an lmpor-
tant. serious air. called out ia a loud
voice hia decisions which we're rarely
disputed Foul bali was called "fauru
barru" ont al first. frau bassu outo."
ono bail. "ono barru." two strikn;"
lndeserbably funny but perfectly clear
even 10 the tourists One q them ap-
preached what be thought looked Ike
the taptain Of the team ihen batting.
IA