American Stereotypes of Japanese Baseball Players

The American stereotypes of Japanese baseball are the following: grueling over-practice, abject obedience to coaches and managers, timid strategies, and prejudice against foreign players or gaijin ("Changing the Game"). These exaggerated images capture poorly the variety in the game and its changes over time.

Some Americans feel that one of the best aspects of the Japanese game is the things they have the good taste to leave out; however, many would disagree. For instance, player strikes, the national anthem, "waves," and "Take me out to the Ball Game" are all American baseball traditions that are not found in Japanese baseball. Also, the Japanese fans get less rowdy and no profanity is experienced on or off the field (Fimrite). In addition, Americans have preconceptions about the Japanese players that are not inclusive of the entire Japanese baseball league. For instance, many think that Japanese players are underpaid, and they do not annually demand that their contracts already signed, be renegotiated (Fimrite). These are all American stereotypes. See "Differences Between American and Japanese Baseball" to find that some stereotypes are true, and some are simply and American creation.