Why are younger Japanese baseball
players similar to American players?
Many young players admire the easier style of American play. The also admire
the idea of the American players that they should be rewarded for their individual
talents. The younger players are different from the more traditional older players
because they grew up with increased media coverage of less strenuous American
baseball techniques. As a result, the younger generation push for lighter on-the-field
regimens to replace the rigorous normal workouts and physical abuse that could
harm the player's careers ("Changing the Game"). The younger players
want to work under the theory that quality is more important than quantity.
Many of the traditional coaches used to working their players until they practically
collapse, are not willing to change the quality of the practices just to adhere
to American traditions. However, Japan's old style managers, like political
and business leaders, have competition from the young players--to them, the
boss is not always right. This comes from the view that "the youth won't
put up with the old ways anymore, but tradition dies hard" (Bartholet).
Although many coaches do not want to put up with the changing game, the new
generation of players won't put up with the demanding coaches.
In addition, similar to American players, the younger Japanese
players are trying to start a player's union to request bigger
pension payments and permission for agents to participate in salary
negotiations with the owners. In addition, the unions would help
resolve disputes over the draft and free agency ("Changing").
Japan's players have longer time commitments to their team and
pressures to stay with one call club for life. The free agency
system dampens the younger player's chances to play over seas
while still in their prime. Instead, they have to wait nine years
before thy are eligible for free agency ("Changing").
Japanese baseball's corporate rigidity causes the players to play by the owner's
rules, which restrict the player's freedom to choose they teams and showcase
their talents. Because Japanese players are obligated to their company and must
sacrifice themselves for the good of the team they have little control over
their career choices.
Disenchantment with Baseball in Japan
The younger generation of Japanese is turned off because of tougher scholastic
standards and because of the rise of professional soccer in Japan. A former
samurai elite describes the introduction of baseball in the late 19th century
as a kind of spiritual training--a discipline for shaping young minds and bodies.
The coaching tradition damaged young bodies as the players were made to practice
through pain. The pitchers were not allowed to stop throwing balls even when
their muscles were inflamed, and the other players had hitting and fielding
practice "until they urinated blood" ("Throw Till Your Arm Drops
Off").
The style of play in the past had a one-run-at-a-time approach
which was the basis for the numerous walks and runs and few spectacular
home runs and perfect hits down the right field line (a Japanese
specialty). In addition, the Japanese resisted swinging until
after two strikes were against them, unlike in the U.S. where
the players may swing with three balls, for purposes of excitement
("Throw"). With the increased communication between
Japan and America and the increased numbers of players that chose
to play overseas, the traditions from each country are mixing.
Thus, one result of the cross-cultural diffusion between Japan
and the United States leads more traditional Japanese people to
lose their love for the game.