SanSan DiegoDiego--YokohamaYokohama YouthYouth BaseballBaseball ExchangeExchange August 9 - 17, 2006

Japan Society of and Tijuana 1250 Sixth Avenue, Suite 226 San Diego, CA 92101-4377 Tel: 619-233-6873 Fax: 619-702-5035 [email protected] www.japan-society.org Acknowledgements

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

he Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana would like to express its gratitude to all of the organiza- T tions whose staff took time out of their extremely busy schedules to coordinate a wonderfully suc- cessful program.

First and foremost, we deeply appreciate the efforts of the National Association of Japan-America Socie- ties (NAJAS) staff, Sam Shepherd, Yusuke Tanno, and Makiko Murotani, whose good work, consistently prompt responses, and endless patience helped make the program smoothly and efficiently. NAJAS financial support through the generosity of the Freeman Foundation and All Nippon Airlines was criti- cally important to the success of the program and is also deeply appreciated.

Allen Rowin and Michele Anderson of the provided tremendous support for clinics, Padres games, and special events. The Padres truly rolled out their red carpet for this first-ever San Diego-Yokohama program, helping to make it the great success that it was.

We offer our thanks to the Yokohama BayStars Baseball Club, their interpreter Moti Masuda, and the two Yokohama coaches, Manager Murakami and Coach Miyamoto. They provided excellent guidance and instruction and we know that the return trip to Yokohama in 2007 will be in good hands.

Six San Diego families opened their homes and hearts to the twelve visiting players from Yokohama. The host families made the experience valuable and memorable for everyone involved. Hosting two teen- agers from a completely different culture for eight days was a huge commitment and we are very grateful to the host families for their extensive time, positive energy, and caring attitudes.

The San Diego Hall of Champions (HOC) provided two excellent coaches and a great baseball facility for clinics and games. Angela LaChica of the HOC attended these activities and donated bottled water for the players and coaches. She also arranged for donated tickets to the San Diego Zoo and assisted with discount tickets to SeaWorld.

The San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society graciously allowed us to incorporate this program into the 50th Anniversary of the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City relationship celebrations. We are grateful for their cooperation and look forward to working closely together with the society in its preparations for the 2007 events.

Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors for their generous contribution to the program. Funding from the Freeman Foundation made it possible to implement the program as originally conceived, and All Nip- pon Airways provided tremendous help with international transportation. We also want to thank for its support of the exchange.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Collaborating Organizations & Participants

CollaboratingCollaborating OrganizationsOrganizations && ParticipantsParticipants

Baseball-related Organizations Government

Major League Baseball City of Yokohama San Diego Padres City of San Diego Yokohama BayStars Baseball Club County of San Diego San Diego Hall of Champions Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles Torreys Baseball Club Dawgs Community Organizations

Japan-America Societies San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society SeaWorld Adventure Park National Association of Japan-America Societies San Diego Zoological Society Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana

America-Japan Society of Yokohama

Baseball Players (Japanese) Baseball Players (American) Host Families

Youhei Harada Patrick Balthrop Cathy & Mark Burdick So Ishida CJ Burdick Maureen & John Edman Hiromu Kojima Johnny Edman Tammi & Paul Hedtke Kazuki Mikami Tommy Edman Kathy & David Lindley Masaki Mikami Josh Hedtke Liz & Chuck Merryman Yushiro Mizusawa Drew Imhof Phoebe & Scott Simmons Kohei Nakamura Joe Lavin Kousuke Nakamura Kendall Lindley Participating Families Yuichi Nakamura Kyler McLaughlin Darlene & Gerald Balthrop Masato Nonami Chase Merryman Lori & Martin Imhof Daisuke Oinuma Trent Simmons Ellen & Rick Lavin Kouki Yamamoto Kai Tuites Judy & Shamus McLaughlin

Coaches/Interpreter (Japanese)

Rinkichi Murakami Masato Miyamoto Motonaga Masuda

Coaches (American) John Edman Mark Burdick Dennis Pugh Rick Lavin Martin Imhof Dave Tuites

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Table of Contents

TableTable ofof ContentsContents

Acknowledgements Collaborating Organizations & Participants Table of Contents

Executive Summary…………………………………………...…….…1 Activity Report Baseball Clinic 1…………………………………2 Baseball Clinic 2…………………………………3 Baseball Clinic 3…………………………………4 Home Stays...…………………………………….5 Special Events 1……………….…………………. 6 Special Events 2………………………… …..…..7 Areas for Improvement………….………………….……………….…8

Appendix I - Program Format Summary………………………………...9 II - Schedule……….………………………….………………10

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 1 | Executive Summary

ExecutiveExecutive SummarySummary

s one of the activities commemorating the 150th Anniversary of U.S.-Japan relations, NAJAS A worked in cooperation with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to establish a two-week baseball camp for Japanese and American boys ages 13 to 15 to be held in Phoenix, Arizona in 2004. This inaugural program was used as a model for the San Diego-Yokohama Youth Base- ball Exchange beginning in the summer of 2006 with support from the San Diego Padres and the Yoko- hama BayStars. The purpose of the exchange was to provide an intercultural experience for American and Japanese youths and to encourage them to learn more about each other and their respective cultures through the game of baseball. (See Appendix I for the Program Format Summary and II for the Sched- ule).

Twelve Japanese baseball players along with two coaches and one interpreter were selected from Yoko- hama by the Yokohama BayStars. The selection criteria included baseball skills and an interest in inter- cultural experiences. Twelve American baseball players were selected from San Diego by the JSSDT. The JSSDT selected players with above average baseball ability from families that were willing to host the Japanese boys for eight days in San Diego and allow their sons to travel to Japan the following summer. The character of the San Diego players and their families was considered to be more important than mere baseball ability in order to ensure a positive home stay experience for the Yokohama players.

JSSDT Executive Director Dave Tuites escorted the Yokohama group to San Diego and stayed with the group throughout the program. After an orientation meeting at the Yokohama BayStars offices and a spe- cial pre-departure ceremony at the Yokohama City Government offices on August 8, the group traveled to San Diego, on August 9. The Japanese players stayed in pairs with six host families for the en- tire duration of their stay in San Diego. Players and home stay families participated in nearly all of the program’s activities together. Baseball clinics or games were held every morning (except Sunday) and an activity was held in either the afternoon or evening each day.

Funding for the program came from the Freeman Foundation and All Nippon Airways. The program was a great success, with players from both countries making new friends and looking forward to meeting again in Yokohama in the summer of 2007.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Activity Report - Baseball Clinic 1 | 2

BaseballBaseball ClinicClinic 11

Baseball Clinic 1 There were typically 5-8 coaches present at each clinic August 10, 2006 at in San Diego, CA or game for the 24 players, an average of 3-4 players per coach. Despite the language barrier, interpreters were he San Diego Padres provided critically important able to provide translations as necessary,, enabling the T assistance with clinics for the 12 Japanese and 12 Japanese players to learn quickly. The clinics received American teenagers, 2 Japanese and 6 American very positive feedback from both the Japanese players coaches, and 6 host families throughout the program. and the coaches. . Clinics and/or games were held from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm every day (except Sunday) at two Padres Community In all sessions, the Japanese and American players were Fields in San Diego. In addition and as a highlight of the mixed in groups according to their positions. This struc- program, the Padres hosted the first clinic at Petco Park, ture provided both parties with an opportunity to learn a truly unique experience for participants to play on a from each other and they quickly became friends. real MLB field.

Players warmed up, took batting practice, and partici- The host families shuttled players to and from the clinic pated in drills and competitions on the outfield grass. locations each morning and always brought cold drinks The Padres had a welcome message in English and Japa- and fruit for the boys. They truly took great care of their nese on their jumbotron scoreboard and also provided a Japanese guests. Although some interpretation was nec- tour of the stadium, including an exclusive look at the essary, the international language of baseball frequently Padres’ clubhouse and training facilities, after the clinic. provided sufficient translations for the boys. Toward the Players were then treated to a lunch of Subway sand- end of the week, the players had learned how to commu- wiches and watermelon at Park at the Park just beyond nicate with one another verbally and non-verbally and the center field fence. required little assistance from coaches, interpreters, or host parents.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 3 | Activity Report - Baseball Clinic 2

BaseballBaseball ClinicClinic 22

Baseball Clinic 2 August 11-12, 2006 at Damato Field in San Diego, CA

wenty-four Japanese and American players and T their coaches gathered at Damato Field in the San Diego neighborhood of Tierrasanta, just minutes from the homes of many of the host families. These two morn- ing sessions included drills on all aspects of baseball and intersquad scrimmages consisting of mixed teams play- ing one another.

Another highlight of these clinics was the opportunity for players and coaches to appear on live television with San Diego’s Fox News. A camera crew and broadcaster came to Damato Field and filmed three live segments that featured an over view of the entire program, player Due to the difference in age between the Japanese and introductions, and some shots of players going through American players (mostly 15 for the Japanese and their drills. mostly 13 for the Americans), it was necessary to split the group into 2 teams consisting of 6 players from each country to achieve a competitive balance. On the first day, coaches did all of the pitching but on the second day, players handled the pitching responsibilities.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Activity Report - Baseball Clinic 3 | 4

BaseballBaseball ClinicClinic 33

Baseball Clinic 3 August 14-16, 2004 at Mission Bay High School in San Tuesday’s game was very competitive with the Japanese Diego, CA side winning 7-3. On Wednesday, the lack of an experi- enced pitcher spelled doom for the American as they lost ith the help of the San Diego Padres and the San 11-2. As the Yokohama team was basically a national W Diego Hall of Champions, three days of clinics caliber all-star team, American players and families es- and games were held during the second half of the pro- pecially enjoyed seeing their Japanese guests playing all gram at Mission Bay High School. The field is in great out for the first time. While the games were competitive, condition and has its own dugouts, scoreboard, natural teams demonstrated great sportsmanship, exchanging grass infield and outfield, and fences at nearly major gifts after each game and enjoying a Mexican lunch to- league distances. The first day was led by Coach Dennis gether on Wednesday as well. Pugh, a locally renowned high school and college coach, who led the players through a typical American high school practice. The drills included special instruction on sliding and hitting, as well as lots of ground ball and fly ball repetitions. Japanese and American players alike enjoyed the brisk pace of the clinic and learned a great deal.

American players and families also enjoyed watching the Japanese team warm up before each game. With all of their shouts and yells accenting each throw, it was truly a unique experience for American participants. The second and third days at Mission Bay High School featured real games between the Yokohama team and a specially recruited team of 15-16 year-olds from local high schools.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 5 | Activity Report - Host Families

HomeHome StaysStays

Home Stays August 9-17, 2006 in San Diego, CA

hen the group arrived in San Diego, the host W families welcomed the boys at a local high school. JSSDT staff handed them over to the host fami- lies as previously arranged. JSSDT staff had previously led an orientation session for host families in late July, so families were well prepared with schedules and informa- tion about the coming week. The families held barbeques and went shopping and to the beach with their Japanese boys. Each day, host fami- lies drove players to the baseball clinics/games and pro- vided snacks and cold beverages for the players. The boys also spent a lot of time swimming in the backyard pools of their hosts. Such an intense schedule for an en- tire week required extraordinary commitment and tre- mendous energy on the part of the volunteer host fami- lies.

ost of the families lived in the neighborhood of M Tierrasanta, centrally located in San Diego and within 15 minutes drive of downtown, Petco Park, beaches, and attractions. The home stays were by far the most memorable experiences for both the Japanese and American players, as well as for the host parents and siblings.

The most important outcome of this program was partici- pants learning that language need not be a barrier to building close relationships with people from a different culture.

San Diego players are very excited about the opportunity to travel to Yokohama in the summer of 2007, and many The program was extremely fortunate to have six very of their parents plan to use that opportunity to make their committed host families who provided constant care for first trips to Japan as well. their Japanese guests.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Activity Report - Special Events 1 | 6

SpecialSpecial EventsEvents 11

SeaWorld Adventure Park BBQ & Pool Party August 11, 2006 August 13, 2006

layers and coaches visited the world-famous Sea- Hosted by one of the home stay families, players and P World Adventure Park, one of San Diego’s many coaches were treated to a typical American backyard highlight attractions. SeaWorld generously donated 30 BBQ and pool party that lasted from mid-afternoon until half-price tickets and participants were free to explore well into the evening. American families were amazed the park and its many exhibits and rides for nearly six at how much the Japanese boys could eat! hours on a very warm Friday afternoon.

San Diego Surf Dawgs Baseball Game San Diego Zoo August 12, 2006 at , SDSU August 15, 2006

he Surf Dawgs treated all players, coaches, and host The San Diego Zoo, another famous San Diego attrac- T family members to a discounted evening of minor tion, donated 30 deluxe tickets for our group. Players league baseball and great food at San Diego State Uni- and coaches toured the zoo by bus, rode the skyway versity’s Tony Gwynn Stadium. Players lined up along tram, and enjoyed the many exotic animals on display. the third base line and threw out a collective first pitch, Players were given $10 for lunch which they ordered and with Japanese players throwing to American players. It enjoyed on their own. was a wonderful evening and provided our Japanese guests with a look at a typical minor league experience. We were announced as group guests on the scoreboard Farewell Dinner at Buca di Beppo by the PA announcer and one of the Japanese players August 15, 2006 was even featured as an enthusiastic fan on the score- The Japanese coaches and the Yokohama BayStars inter- board during the 7th inning stretch. preter treated all program participants to a delicious fare- well dinner at this very popular San Diego family-style Italian restaurant after the San Diego Zoo visit. 40 peo- ple, including all players and coaches and most of the home stay family members, enjoyed great food and sto- ries about their week in San Diego. It was especially

rewarding to watch the Japanese and American boys communicating without the help of any adults.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 7 | Activity Report - Special Events 2

SpecialSpecial EventsEvents 22

Padres vs. San Francisco Giants August 14 & 16, 2006 At the picnic, the Honorary Consul General of Japan in The San Diego Padres treated all participants, including San Diego, Dr. Michael S. Inoue, helped to hand out home stay families on one of the evenings, to two games Honorary Citizen of San Diego certificates from the Of- between the Padres and San Francisco Giants. fice of the Mayor of San Diego, and Certificates of Par- ticipation from the San Diego County Board of Supervi- sors.

At the first game on Monday night, players and coaches were gives $15 of “Friar Funds” to use for refreshments at Petco Park and our seats were field level just beyond After the picnic, players were a highlight of the pre- first base. At the second game on Wednesday night, the game ceremonies, as they exchanged flags along the players and coaches were truly given a night to remem- third base line while being featured on the scoreboard. ber. Players arrived at 4:30pm and were escorted down They then enjoyed a 13-inning game that didn’t finish to the field where they met 4 Padres players and had until 11:30pm. It was a fabulous night and the Padres them sign autographs on their shirts or . The are to be commended for their efforts and hospitality. players, including Jake Peavy, Mike Cameron, Josh Barfield, and Cla Meredith, were very gracious and spoke with the Japanese players about the program.

We then went to an outdoor terrace for a BBQ including chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, and wa- termelon.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Areas for Improvement | 8

AreasAreas forfor ImprovementImprovement

he following recommendations are based on conversations with the participants, collaborating or- T ganizations, and JSSDT staff.

• Duration of Trip – A total of nine days seemed very appropriate and worked well for partici- pants and families.

• Number of Participants and Coaches – The Yokohama group included 12 players, 2 more than the budgeted number. This was primarily due to their decision to send a full team with an extra pitcher and , as if they were traveling to play in a tournament. If intercultural experiences are indeed the primary purpose of the program, as I believe they should be, then 10 players is a better number. Two coaches and one interpreter worked quite well.

• JSSDT Staff Obligations – There should be no need for a JSSDT staff member to escort the Yo- kohama group to San Diego in 2008. It is too expensive and time-consuming and unnecessary if 3 Yokohama adults are sent with the group.

• JAS/AJS – It is imperative that the America-Japan Society of Yokohama become more involved, particularly with regard to home stay family recruitment and cultural activities, to take some of the workload away from the Yokohama BayStars. While it is an entirely volunteer organization, representatives did meet with us in Yokohama and expressed support of the program and a will- ingness to help as much as possible.

• Home Stays – The home stays were absolutely the best part of the program for players and fami- lies alike. Whether in the US or Japan, selecting quality host families is truly the most important and challenging task.

• Participant Selection – Participants from both countries should be chosen for their good charac- ter first and baseball playing ability second. I believe that the Yokohama team was selected in the opposite order and they basically sent an all-star team with little regard for English ability or an interest in intercultural experiences. Also, the age range of 13-15 does not work well as the dif- ference between a 13 year-old an 15 year-old is often significant in terms of size and strength.

• Participation Fee – A participation fee of $200-400 per player has been well-received by fami- lies in both countries and certainly helps with program costs. These fees should remain a part of the program.

• Fundraising – Fundraising should continue in both Japan and the US, using the 2006 program expenses as a guide. The best fundraising possibilities in San Diego include support from the Pa- dres themselves and/or support from their main Japanese corporate sponsors such as Toyota, Sony, and Kyocera. Freeman Foundation support, as well as support from other foundations, should be pursued by NAJAS.

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 9 | Appendix I - Program Format Summary

II -- ProgramProgram FormatFormat SummarySummary

Program Title: San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006

Program Launch Date: June, 2006

Program Timeframe: August 9 - August 17, 2006

Location: San Diego, CA

Participant: 12 Japanese boys, 14 to 15 years old (middle school) from Yokohama 12 American boys, 12 to 14 years old from San Diego 2 Japanese coaches from Yokohama 6 San Diego Coaches 6 host families in San Diego 4 participating families in San Diego

Collaborating Organizations: 15

Participation Fee: 50,000 yen per Japanese player

Insurance: Multinational Underwriters, Atlas Travel Series Group Plan

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006 Appendix II - Schedule | 10

IIII -- ScheduleSchedule

08/08 (Tue) 14:00-15:30 Pre-departure Orientation Yokohama 16:00-16:30 Pre-departure Ceremony

08/09 (Wed) 17:00 Depart for Los Angeles from Narita 11:00 Arrive at LAX and travel to San Diego by charter bus 16:00 Meet with host families Evening Free Time with Host Families 08/10 (Thu) 09:30-12:30 Petco Park Clinic, Tour, & Subway Lunch San Diego Rest of Day Free Time with Host Families 08/11 (Fri) 09:30-12:00 Damato Field Clinic & Game 12:30-18:00 Sea World Adventure Park Evening Free Time with Host Families 08/12 (Sat) 08:30-12:00 Damato Field Clinic & Game, Fox News Live Broadcast Afternoon Free Time with Host Families 18:00-22:30 San Diego Surf Dawgs Game & BBQ

08/13 (Sun) Morning Free Time with Host Families 15:00-21:00 BBQ & Pool Party 08/14 (Mon) 09:30-12:00 Mission Bay HS Clinic & Pizza Lunch Afternoon Free Time with Host Families 18:00-22:00 Padres Home Game vs. Giants

08/15 (Tue) 09:30-12:00 Mission Bay HS Game 12:30-17:00 San Diego Zoo 17:30-20:00 Farewell Dinner at Buca di Beppo 08/16 (Wed) 09:30-12:00 Mission Bay HS Game & Mexican Lunch Afternoon Free Time with Host Families 16:30-23:30 Padres Home Game vs. Giants (BP, Picnic, Pre-Game)

08/17 (Thu) 06:30 Depart San Diego for LAX by charter bus Yokohama 08/18 (Fri) 20:00 Arrive Yokohama

San Diego-Yokohama Youth Baseball Exchange 2006

NAJAS National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc. 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 1050 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 429-5545 Fax: (202) 429-0027 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.us-japan.org