Baseball

Japanese Baseball History

Exactly when baseball arrived in Japan isn't clear. Horace Wilson, a professor in Tokyo,
is credited with introducing the American game to his students during the Meiji Era
(1867-1912). This was the beginning of the assimilation of the Western game which the
Japanese named Yakkyu, meaning "field ball." Since then, the game has developed into a
popular pastime for the Japanese.

During the Meiji restoration, as the Japanese began a process of modernization,
they adopted many Western ideas. Western sports started to be introduced at this time,
particularly baseball. According to Robert Whiting, the Japanese found the one-on-one
battle between pitcher and batter similar in psychology to their native sumo and martial
arts. It involved split second timing and a special harmony of mental and physical
strength. Because of this, the Ministry of Education believed it was good for the national
character and encouraged its growth.

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