[Music]
Downloaded from YTS.BZ
[Train rolling]
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.BZ
[Music]
[Baseball bat hitting ball]
[Music]
[Baseball bat hitting ball]
Male: The players that have gone to America,
they went to the MLB and left an impressive record.
[Music]
These records leave a kind of footprint
and an impact on the players that will follow them.
Announcer: We welcome you to the 2025 Tokyo Series.
It is a beautiful celebration of the culture of Japan and of
Major League Baseball intertwined together.
Meghan: This very much felt like it was for
Japanese baseball fans, for the country.
Announcer: If anybody knows about going to great lengths
to realize a dream, it's the five Japanese-born players
who will play in a major league game in front of
their nation's fans for the first time.
Meghan: You're going to have more kids trying to emulate
these Japanese players.
Announcer: Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto,
Roki Sasaki, and of course, Shohei Ohtani.
They are returning to the Tokyo Dome.
It's a significant moment in their baseball journeys.
Getting set to go for the reigning World Series champion
Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs,
2025 Major League Baseball season about to get underway.
[Music]
[Whistle]
Yasuko: Baseball really is...
You need to have a proper heart.
If you don't have that then...
You can't pitch, bat, or stand your base, I believe.
Back when this area was built, there were about 10 kids
and they'd always play ball around here.
And we had five children.
My husband and I both had baseball experience
and wanted to play again, so we gathered those 10 kids.
We asked them, 'Why don't you start playing baseball with us?'
Baseball really is...
It really begins and ends with a bow.
It's very correct with its rules, very formal.
[Player speaking in foreign language]
It's a game that is very hard to teach to children.
[Coach speaking in foreign language]
Use your toes, not your heels, your toes.
[Player grunts]
Try putting your hand on it when you're making that connection.
Both hands, both hands, both hands, both hands.
When you catch, step forward.
Catch with both hands.
Get it with both hands and move forward.
Things like the language they use.
I teach them that they need to be polite, greet people properly.
I tell them they need to grow up in a way
that doesn't bring shame to those people that raised them.
It should never be about self-centered desires or egos,
I want this team to be...
A place where we truly raise
the next generation of children in the right way.
You have to grab it as soon as you catch it.
My son, Toru, joined my team
and he played through his middle and high school years.
Later on, he'd come to help us and coach the kids.
He saw my teaching technique and then naturally,
he just ended up becoming the coach of this team.
Of course we're mother and child but when we step onto the field
we're co-coaches, teaching baseball.
[Speaking foreign language]
Toru: Baseball is a team sport where everyone must support one another.
Everyone works together to help one another.
Of course, there's the batters box where everyone gets a chance
to play the lead role for a moment.
And then there are times where you must play the supporting role.
But in order for the team to win, everyone needs to be playing their part.
And think carefully about what that part is.
When we were little, Major League Baseball was a world that was so amazing to us.
In this island that is Japan, if we crossed the sea there was this...
Stage that felt like a dream, with absolute superstars.
They were playing baseball on a level that Japanese people couldn't even comprehend.
Announcer: You can hear the fans.
Ichiro, Ichiro.
Toru: But from then, more and more Japanese players went to the MLB.
Announcer: For eight innings, Hideo Nomo has not allowed--
Toru: It makes me so happy seeing them make it.
Announcer: A grand slam for Hideki Matsui!
Toru: So I'm so grateful to those Japanese players that gave these kids these dreams.
[Music]
[Chatter]
Host: Good morning, everybody.
We appreciate the hard work and hospitality of so many who have
made the Tokyo Series a reality.
Guys, thank you so much for being here.
Welcome home.
It's great to have you here.
We appreciate your time.
We will begin with questions in Japanese,
and we will take questions in English
following the questions in Japanese.
Interviewer: First, I would like to start with Shohei Ohtani.
Welcome back to Japan.
The season opener will be held in his home of Japan.
How are you feeling now?
Shohei: First of all, I would like to make this series a good one,
and I would be happy if many people
could see the activities of many Japanese people,
including the other two here,
as well as the Cubs.
Interviewer: Now that the four games will begin tomorrow,
please tell us how you are feeling.
Shota: I feel the excitement of Japan,
but I also have a sense of responsibility and pressure.
Seiya: You know, I used to watch Major League Baseball games
at the Tokyo Dome when I was a kid.
So I would be very happy if I could make
as much of a positive impact as possible.
Yoshinobu: I have not played yet, so I don't know what to expect,
but I have always wanted to play on this stage,
so I will try to play in my own way first,
and although I am sure I will be nervous and anxious,
I hope to be able to play well.
Interviewer: Obviously, the series has five
Japanese-born players, and there are more players throughout
Major League Baseball.
Does this feel like a golden generation
for Japanese baseball?
Seiya: I think we are here today
because of what our seniors have done for us,
so we want to do our best
here again and dream that many more Japanese athletes
will be able to play in the U.S.
I hope that this will not be the golden age for us
and that we will have a brighter future ahead of us.
[Music]
[Laughter]
[Music]
Jason: I moved to Japan in 2007.
It's a lot different than being in the States.
When I came here, I did not speak Japanese,
so I could only talk to the foreign players.
And you miss a lot of the story because there may be three or
four foreign players on the team,
and they may not have done anything that day.
So, instead of getting the news directly,
you're filtering it through someone else's experience and
someone else's point of view.
So, that was the biggest adjustment, I think,
was just the language.
And then figuring out how things work in Japan as far as
covering baseball.
Japan is very focused on the fundamentals.
Author Robert Whiting said, "Japanese basically turn
baseball into a martial art. ”
And, you know, in a way, he's correct because the discipline
and the structure.
But there is a misconception that Japan is this completely
rigid society.
And it's not entirely true because a lot of the players,
they have fun.
They do things outside of the box.
So, it's not entirely true, but there is a reflection of that
corporate mentality of nine to five of,
"This is what we have to do.
We're going to do it this way, ” reflected in the game.
And I think maybe in the US, there's a little bit more,
I guess, freedom in a way.
[Baseball bat hitting ball]
Participant: Japan doesn't usually have an MLB opening series like this
so I'm thrilled to be able to participate.
Participant: For me, it's the Cubs player Crow-Armstrong
whom I'm most interested in.
Participant: I'm from Touhoku and I played in the same Little League.
So for me, I'm most interested in watching Ohtani play
I hope we get to see him shine, not only in batting but also in pitching.
Justin: You know, just seeing the way of life, I think,
is one of the coolest things when you're
visiting a different country.
Jason: What are you hoping that your teammates can see
get out of this trip as someone who--
you've been here before?
Colin: Yeah, I think they've already been walking out and
about and tried to experience as much as they can.
I know I've heard of some guys going to some good sushi places.
Jason: Baseball gave Japan an outlet to succeed
on the world stage.
Especially at a time where it's like American exceptionalism,
except here's this Japanese guy breaking the hits record.
Here's Shohei Ohtani just absolutely
obliterating everything.
You know what Japanese fandom is like,
so when you see like the attention that Shohei Ohtani is
getting here, just what do you think about the pressure that,
not the pressure, but the spotlight that's on Ohtani and
your two teammates as well?
Justin: Yeah, I can't imagine.
That's gotta be a lot.
I don't know how they handle it.
I think they're definitely more used to it, but, you know,
they do such a good job of handling it.
Way better than I would do, I think.
Jason: I'm not sure players in the past who grew up thought
that MLB was something that they could achieve.
I think there was just this...
this mindset of, "This is Japan, this is MLB,
and MLB is a different level. ”
Meghan: This Tokyo series is a way to showcase what baseball
means in Japan, both on a cultural level, a fandom level,
and just the enthusiasm for the sport.
So, I was sent all this way to document the games.
And so, I think there's some internal pressure of like,
I really want to make sure I'm conveying this like I feel like
I should and finding that right balance of like,
this is a really cool, special atmosphere versus not
overthinking what you're writing and spending too much time
dwelling on it 'cause that can work against you too.
So, it was definitely a very unique experience.
I knew in high school I wanted to go into the journalism world.
I always loved sports.
I grew up playing sports, loved baseball.
I grew up a Cubs fan.
Both my parents were Cubs fans.
So, getting to cover the team, the one that you grew up
cheering for, rooting for, for me was always the dream job.
It was just really interesting how much more visible
the Tokyo Series is being advertised in Tokyo.
It feels like the country is embracing the games.
It feels like Major League Baseball and the teams are very
intentional of how they want to do things and really try and
connect with fans.
These are marquee games for Japanese baseball fans,
and it really feels like they are the priority.
Hironobou: The fact that Japanese players have reached these heights is amazing.
I'm very grateful to the MLB.
To have these opening games here in Japan, I'm so grateful.
A lot more people will be able to experience the MLB in person.
I think it's great that something so special
will be experienced by more people.
[Music]
Within this city called Oshu
the superstar known as Shohei Ohtani was born.
[Laughter]
Since I was a kid, I've loved baseball
but along the way, I fell in love with music.
All the musicians I followed, they were all known for their hair.
So, I began to get interested in hair styling.
That's how I began my path in the 'beauty' business.
I wanted to be the best in Japan.
When I was younger, I would compete in hair competitions.
I wasn't very good at the start,
but as I did more, I got better and won awards.
And began studying like my life depended on it.
I wanted to open a salon of the highest level.
With that belief, I opened 'Seems Hair & Salon' 13 years ago.
As a big fan of Ohtani,
the first thing I got was a signed ball I received
when Ohtani joined Nippon Ham.
I'd see it and think, 'Ohtani is doing his best today so I've got to as well.'
So I left it here at the Salon.
It was well received by my customers
so I thought, 'I better get a uniform as well.'
As Ohtani's star kept rising, more and more goods were released.
So, it became a mini exhibition of sorts.
I'd collect these good,
these results of how hard Ohtani was working towards his goal.
He was a high school athlete that the country had its eyes on.
I would travel to watch his matches and support him.
During that time he also pitched a 160km fast ball,
which was the fastest a high schooler had ever thrown.
Then from there, he suddenly said he wanted to make it in the MLB.
So, for me that was incredibly exciting.
That really made me become a fan, I knew I had to support him
on this journey that hadn't been done before.
For me as a hair stylist,
aiming for the top had been incredibly challenging.
[Chatter]
Of course as salon workers, we're most known for our haircuts.
Ohtani, whenever he's in the batters box,
he measures the distance between the batters box and home base
and positions himself accordingly.
For us when we're cutting hair,
our position and our form is incredibly important.
While we're standing at a 45-degree angle from our customers...
With our elbows flared like this and using our left hand as a guide, we cut hair.
If there's something wrong with our form,
If I'm not feeling my best,
I can tell straight away from my form, if something was off...
I take a step back and go over looking at my stance and form again.
Then it's a lot easier to evaluate where I'm going wrong.
[Cheering]
Even as Ohtani's number one fan, I still have a long way to go.
I'm twice as old as Ohtani...
But I still want to continue to grow.
I want this shop to grow along with Ohtani.
That feeling won't change.
[Chatting]
Tomohiro: When I was about 8 or 9,
I got my very first baseball glove from my parents.
This was for little league,
so after about 1 or 2 years,
you would grow out of it and need to replace it with another.
But once you reach middle school, your hand doesn't get much bigger.
So, you can use the same glove forever after that.
I think it's all about memories and attachments you have to the glove.
Glove are made using cow leather.
The more you use it, the longer you will get out of it.
If it rips, you can get it repaired.
For players,
I felt this is where the love and memories for the glove, begin to happen.
I gave this shop the name 'Rebirth'
as I wanted to essentially bring these gloves back to life.
Oki-san, got a sec?
This first baseman's mitt. Oki: Yes.
Tomohiro: A father used about 25 years ago...
Back when he was playing school baseball.
Now that his son has started playing hardball in junior high,
He's getting it completely remade as a gift.
It's a really special first baseman's mitt.
We're doing a full remake, so let's start with the palm liner.
Yeah, the palm liner is already cracked.
I think we definitely need to replace it.
And the finger loop too...
Yeah that's quite worn out too.
It should definitely be replaced as well.
We'll do our best.
Thank you very much!
Please take care of it.
[Music]
By remaking these gloves you've had for 30 or 40 years...
You can use it yourself.
Or you can pass it on to your son.
Or it could be inherited by a player you're not related to at all.
So, the glove it...
It can live its second or third life.
Firstly, each glove has about 30-40 small parts to it.
We take each piece apart and remake it, part by part.
Even though we remake it, it isn't a brand new glove,
it's a glove with character and one that's been used.
So, each glove has its own shape.
But it's not just about the gloves.
Every player, their family, their team...
I believe we're helping to create memories for them.
Gloves are hmm... how should I put it?
They are a player's prized possession.
So, that process of giving this prized possession
those memories that make it so.
We're a part of the journey
in making these memories happen, I feel.
Customer: This one's a custom order.
So, I'm not quite sure what the original color was.
It was given to me, so I think it was green.
I think the lace color was matched to this and the embroidery.
Could you bring me one?
It's a slightly darker green-- This kind of green.
Ah, no worries at all, that's totally fine.
Are you still playing rubber-ball baseball?
Yes, rubber-ball.
But you'll be switching to hardball in high school?
Ah, I see.
Not mixed with the boys, girls' hardball?
Girls' team, yes.
Kind of, but at first she couldn't stay home alone,
so I brought her to the field and before I knew it, she started playing.
There was never really a stopping point, she just kept at it.
That's nice.
How does it feel?
Feels good.
What do you think?
I like red.
You like red?
Yeah.
Here at Rebirth, we get a lot of children visiting.
So these players starting from...
Elementary, middle, high school, college and then even as adults.
We want to support their baseball journey through all stages.
By doing that...
I think that the future of baseball in Japan is very bright.
[Music]
Tameo: Since starting this job,
baseball has become a facet of my life.
So if you asked me whether or not I enjoy watching baseball for entertainment,
I would say I don't.
[Music]
How are the players holding their bat
and things like that, I end up looking at too closely.
I end up observing baseball in that way.
But actually initially, I was in the Golf manufacturing division.
Then after about 7 years there...
The predecessor, the one making bats before me.
He ended up resigning so...
So, when they were looking for a replacement, I applied.
And I was selected out of 5 people for the job.
So that was what was the beginning of doing this job.
Well, you see, with Mizuno as a company,
we were a company that started by making tools.
Usually sports makers have shoes and clothes
and that's their lead into the market.
But with Mizuno, it really was a baseball tool maker from the get-go.
The legacy of them as baseball goods-makers is very...
is quite a long and rich one I believe.
Yes, for the players using our bats,
we always keep in mind whilst making them
that we want the players to be able to bat to the best of their ability.
Yes, well...
A bat is a tool to be used, now for the players...
With that bat, each hit they make is connected.
Each hit is connected to their salary, their livelihood.
It's their own.
Looking at it from a very Japanese perspective,
one would say...
It's one of your own limbs
There's a lot of players that definitely view it in that fashion.
So I think that there's a lot of players
that treat their bats with a great deal of respect.
I think that the spirit of challenge
is what makes Japanese players
see how far they can go.
Really, how far can one go?
That challenge...
is what really drives the players we see
at the moment I believe.
I would like us to emulate that spirit of challenge when making bats.
When I watch American baseball,
I think it is more like entertainment.
When I watch Japanese baseball,
I think that baseball is played while enjoying the game
and having fun together with the players.
Announcer: Japan is a baseball-obsessed nation,
and it is absolutely buzzing ahead of the Tokyo series for
the Dodgers and Cubs, but before that, a couple exhibition games.
Announcer: Now, please welcome to the field the team for
today's exhibition game.
The Cubs are led by Shota Imanaga.
Welcome back to Japan!
[Cheering]
Announcer: World Series Champion, Shohei Otani,
back in his home country.
Jason: The game of baseball lends itself
to Japanese culture.
You have all these individual people all working
in concert together.
They all have their role to play in the game.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Right center field, splits the gap.
Jason: They do their job so that the next person
can do their job.
The leadoff man hits a single so that the next person
can bunt, so that the next person can then try
to drive that runner in.
Announcer: 2-2 pitch from Snell.
Uh-oh.
Going high, fly ball deep right field.
Jason: So, that second guy sacrificed himself
for the greater good.
Announcer: Sends the Tokyo Dome into a frenzy.
Japanese fans, there's always noise.
It's always loud.
They're always cheering.
I think the main difference is in MLB games,
there's no noise between at bats.
[Music & cheering]
Japan is just constant noise and constant something going on.
The cheering, that's just part of the culture
that they've been in.
It's very organized.
[Cheering]
[Whistle]
Each player has a cheer.
And then, when there's a runner on second base,
there's a cheer for that.
[Cheering]
And when the bases are loaded or there's a good chance to
score, there's a cheer for that.
[Music & Cheering]
It's just the culture of Japanese baseball.
It's one thing that I know a lot of people come to Japan when
they watch baseball games.
This is what they want to see.
They want to experience the way the fans cheer and the way the
stadium gets into it.
I know especially the Hanshin Tigers fans are very loud and
very famous for being a very, shall we say,
enthusiastic fan base.
[Music & cheering]
Meghan: The exhibition games are really fun.
I remember having talked to players who had played in Japan
how crazy fans could be at the Nippon professional
baseball games.
And so, knowing that they're going to be playing two
exhibition games, probably what I'm most looking forward to.
[Cheering]
[Music]
It feels like there is more small ball elements that the
Japanese teams are willing to tap into.
Seeing the slow base of times, hit and runs.
As someone who grew up in the 90s watching baseball,
like threw me back to that era where it felt like it was a
complete team, where the lineup was constructed to build off of
each other and those small ball elements.
Getting to experience the uniqueness,
that element to those games with the cheering and chanting
is so cool.
[Cheering]
Jim: How's it going?
Jason: Good, just getting ready for the series.
Jim: I know.
Jason: I met Jim at my very first baseball game.
Jim, in the 90s, started a Japanese baseball newsletter.
So, he's been doing it for a very, very, very long time.
He blogs about what he thinks about the game,
which he does that with a lot of experience, having seen Japan,
having seen Japanese baseball, having lived here
for over 40 years.
When the Red Sox came, it wasn't as big as this one is.
Jim: It wasn't.
It was big.
Jason: This one just feels, like, otherworldly.
Jim: Well, there's never been--
There's always been one or two players.
Jason: The whole series about Ohtani though, basically.
Jim: You know, it's like, how much bigger
can Shohei Ohtani get?
Jason: Well, you ask that, but then he gets even bigger.
Jim: Well, you were at the Japan Press Club, right?
When you said, "What's your goal? ”
And he says, "I want to be able to walk down the street,
and people will say, 'There goes the best baseball player,
the world's best."'
And the irony is you can't do it
because he can't walk down the street.
Jason: Yeah.
Jim: You know, it's funny because I see so many of the
players now, young players.
I really think there's going to be this huge boom of Japanese
amateurs going to MLB in the next five, six years.
[Music]
[Applause]
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
welcome to Japan.
First and foremost,
I'm really happy that everyone is here safe and sound.
And I hope you all cherish your time with your loved ones in Japan.
Thank you, have fun!
[Applause]
Set, go.
Wonderful!
Justin: We get to honor our teammates by coming to their own
country and people that mean a lot to us.
They're proud and they're joyful that they get to share
this with us.
Kizuna, which is like a Japanese word for bond,
that started for our team with a great party and being able
to be together.
This is the start of a journey for our team.
Female Announcer: Hello to the sixth graders of Kyodo Elementary School.
While excitement over the MLB Opening Series is spreading throughout Japan,
right here in this gymnasium.
Cubs alumni and Clark will soon enter from the back entrance.
Let's all give them a warm round of applause as they enter!
[Cheering]
Now I'd like to introduce our guests that have joined us here today.
First, we have Kosuke Fukudome, a Chicago Cubs alum.
[Cheering]
Fukudome is a Major Leaguer from Japan,
who made a name for himself with the Chicago Cubs.
Next, we have special guest, Mr. Derrek Lee.
Derrek was selected for the MLB All-Star Game
and won the batting title. His skills are top notch.
[Applause]
Student: Umm...
[Laughter]
Um, are there any differences
between baseball
in Japan and America?
Are there things that are the same and things that are different?
Kosuke: Well, as you can probably tell just by looking here,
Derrick Lee is really tall, right?
Right? He's big, right?
So, Japanese players like me tend to be smaller.
I■m considered tall for a Japanese person,
but even then, I■m still small in comparison.
Since I played old-school Japanese baseball,
we ran every day, hit balls every day, like,
like, 1,000 or even 2,000 swings a day.
We just did tons of reps.
Training methods are quite different between Japanese and American players.
Meghan: Kosuke Fukudome and Derrick Lee are at a school
outside of Tokyo to talk to students there.
Derrick Lee had spent time in Japan as a kid.
His dad had played in Japan, so he got to have some exposure to
the country, to the culture, to the school system while he was
there when he was younger.
Seeing how excited those kids were to meet Derek Lee or
Fukudome, that definitely could have an impact.
Student: How do you even find a dream in the first place?
Derrek: Good questions.
Are you guys 12 really?
[Translates]
[Laughter]
Meghan: Those are meaningful connections that are a clear
pathway to creating fandom connections with young fans that
obviously then evolve over time.
Student: What's important in order to make your dreams come true?
Kosuke: Something you love, something you really enjoy doing.
Because when you love something, you can keep doing it for a long time.
It's hard to stick with something you don't like.
But your dream is usually tied to something you do like.
Meghan: Getting that up close look of major league players and
then specifically showing the example of this can be a dream
for you if you want it to be.
You can come and play in Major League Baseball,
and there is a path to making that happen.
For me, Fukudome was the main Japanese player that I was
really exposed to on a regular basis,
having grown up a Cubs fan.
Interviewer: The Cubs have put a lot of time and effort into
figuring out how to best help Japanese players
transition over.
Just talking with some of the current players,
how have things changed from when you had to
make that transition?
I think more and more people are starting to understand now.
It■s becoming a much easier environment to try new challenges.
Meghan: That exposure for Cubs fans, when then you're signing,
say, Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, you're having one generation
that's already had a fan-favorite Japanese player,
and now you have another generation.
Interviewer: Thank you so much.
[Speaking foreign language]
Translator: Then have fun and enjoy going around Japan.
Interviewer: Oh, yeah, thank you.
Meghan: I think it's a really neat way where the past gets
connected to where baseball is going.
And clearly, that's trying to continue to push to be a more
global sport.
Kanato: When I joined Little Wolf,
I didn't even know if I'd make it on the field.
But I joined and I think I've made a lot of improvements.
I practice with the feeling that I'm definitely going to win nationals.
Then make it to the Major Leagues and surpass Shohei Ohtani.
Shogo: I began playing baseball in my second year of elementary school,
in the area that I lived, with the local team.
Then when Kanato was born...
He was in the same team, at the same ground that had raised me.
So having my son do the same, at the same ground.
I almost think it's a miracle at times.
Kanato: Players like Ohtani...
They've been working hard since they were small.
I want to surpass even them as a player.
So, I want to keep giving it my all.
I'm excited to watch the Tokyo Series.
Watching the movements of the shortstop...
their defensive position, the pitchers release position
and I want to observe the timing of the batter's movements.
I could see them trying even harder
than I can imagine and I think it's cool.
My Dad...
He's passionate about baseball.
He always does a lot of research to help me.
So, I want to show him results.
Shogo: You feeling good today? Kanato: Yeah.
Shogo: With batting? Kanato: Yeah.
Shogo: And throwing? Kanato: Same with throwing.
I've got this.
Shogo: If you're up first, get a home run.
You just need to time it right, get a strong swing in.
Count 1-2-3, get ready on the 2...
Wait...
and on 3...
Swing with everything you've got.
If you get to the National team, you know,
you might end up getting to play with Ohtani.
You'd kill it together.
Kanato: If it's not in my first year, Ohtani will have probably retired.
Shogo: At what age? Kanato: He'll be like 38, right?
Shogo: Nah, he'll still be at it.
Kanato: You think so? Shogo: Without a doubt.
I don't know what it was like when Babe Ruth was active.
I could only read about him in books.
It's a miracle that Ohtani is alive at a time when you're an active player.
You understand?
[Chatter]
Coach: Make sure to greet the umpire properly before the first pitch.
Do the basics properly and take care of each and every play.
Then just go ahead and go for it.
[Cheering]
Shogo: When watching Kanato play baseball,
I'm amazed by his effort.
And of course seeing Kanato persevere
gives me great pride.
[Cheering]
He wants to achieve his goal of becoming a pro player.
So, I want him to aim high and keep going.
Tamio: These trees were cut down due to the human ego.
And if they're just being cut down to make a bat,
then we need to do our work in a way
that isn't disrespectful to the tree that was cut down.
We're going to shave a piece of white ash.
Yoshida: Okay.
Tamio: First, Yoshida-kun, look through and see which might be a good fit.
Yoshida: Okay.
Tamio: Try sorting by head and grip shape...
Pick one to start with.
Yoshida: Okay.
It's slightly too low.
Tamio: Yes making something good for the players is the most important.
Other than that...
It's about training the next generation.
There's a big importance to be placed on that.
Of course making good products is common sense.
Yoshida: First we center it, right?
Tamio: Yeah, but before centering,
we have to decide which side is the grip and which is head.
Yoshida: Right.
Tamio: So for this one, decide which to make the grip and which the head.
Take a good look at that.
Yoshida: Okay.
For this one...
I think this side will be the head.
Tamio: This side? Yoshida: Yeah.
Tamio: Yes. Then I'll shave it off.
[Music]
But it's also about making sure there are people that can make those good products.
Which is what I think my role is becoming
When I first took on this job, there was Kubota-san.
He was my master, watching over me.
You could say he taught me
but it was more that he would say 'steal from me
and use that to hone your craft.'
That was his stance.
So more than teaching every minute detail from the first step...
It was more about watching Kubota's
gestures and his actions.
Also check if the grip's dimensions
and thickness meet the standard.
Yoshida: Okay.
Tamio: After that, we prepare for the next step.
[Music]
The materials used to make bats are changing.
We're at the point where there's a lot of changes happening right now.
So, thinking about it that way...
I think of them as positive changes.
I think children can truly enjoy baseball
by creating the world, or rather, the structure of society.
It's a way for baseball to develop more.
We usually just make them, not hit them.
Right? Not often.
But it feels great to actually hit like this.
Ah, yes, that happens too.
It's not just swinging-
I think, "What if I changed this? Would it be easier to swing? ”
Thinking like that really helps the next time I make one.
"What should I tweak to get this feel? ”
That kind of thing.
Keeping the process of making these bats
sincere and proper.
I think that's a philosophy
that we need to instill in the younger folk now as well.
I'd like to try my best to help make that a reality for the children.
[Music]
Tomohiro: When I began working in baseball goods,
I was able to form bonds with the makers and craftsmen.
Of course now,
they became my friends and joined Rebirth.
You should practice once.
It's a little hard to hit, isn't it? Male: Just a little.
I can't see it. It's hard to see.
[Laughter]
Female: Good pitcher.
I can't swing the bat.
My dream is to be on the variety show Real Yakyu-Ban.
I can't hit it.
I can't hit the right side.
I may be able to just make contact.
Wow, that's amazing.
That was a good ball.
My hands are going to be wrecked if I play this every day.
Tomohiro: We have our glove-masters, those that remake the gloves.
Our platinum level glove-master is Oki.
As he is a platinum level,
he is able to handle every stage of a glove repair by himself.
And of course teaching,
he is able to instruct those with no experience whatsoever.
We made a sort of education system
where each new staff members' skills are cultivated.
This one seems a little small, doesn't it?
If you're a third baseman like Abe, you can do it.
Yes.
It's a little deep, though.
A difficult customer inquiry.
Oki: Well, I don't think it's impossible.
It's a little small for a third baseman, but I think it's fine.
All around Japan, craftsman, those that repair...
Everybody is getting older.
As we are the next generation...
we inherit those skills and put them to use.
It would be a great loss if these skills
that are only here in Japan would disappear.
We need to pass these skills onto the next generation.
We need to preserve that.
Female: This is broken.
Customer: I would appreciate it if you could fix that as well.
Female: Should we leave this as it is and reinforce it here?
Customer: Yes.
Tomohiro: To make a glove...
it takes tens of years of experience and practice to get there.
For that glove to then be used for only 3 years
or 1 to 2 years...
I think that's a complete shame.
I want to keep them alive
so that the next generation can inherit them.
And from that perhaps something even better can be born.
[Music]
I was so excited that the Dodger and the Cubs
were actually coming here.
Around us, our crew and customers
were also incredibly excited about the news.
Welcome. Hello.
We■ve been waiting for you. Please come in.
Customer: I'm here to pick up the glove that was repaired.
Tomohiro: We've been waiting for you.
Here you go. Yes.
We have completely remade the glove.
We replaced the leather inside with new blue leather
and the original sheepskin is also black.
Take a look.
Customer: The colors are amazingly beautiful.
This line is great.
It's like a new glove, so it feels kind of fresh.
The blue color here is also amazing.
How is your son doing?
It■s nostalgic, I guess.
Customer: Thirty years ago, it looked just like this.
It's touching and wonderful that it will be passed down to my son.
I hope this will help you do well.
Well, let's give it a try.
Customer: Yes.
Tomohiro: Thank you very much.
We look forward to seeing you again.
[Music]
- There's something more to baseball...
It's about a sort of closeness.
For example, even those with no baseball experience...
I've seen people like that at the center,
laughing and having fun with their friends.
Playing catch together, or just playing with the ball.
I see that sort of thing a lot, how can I put it?
It's not like a baseball match, it's something more intimate...
a form of play.
That gives birth to a new kind of way of communicating.
That's what I think it is.
To me, baseball is something
that has allowed me to make new friends.
[Music]
Interviewer: What do you expect to experience tomorrow?
Can anything prepare you for a game like this?
Justin: For me, I just try to treat it like another game.
You know, it's our job to go out there and fulfill those
expectations, and especially doing it against the World
Champs Dodgers.
Jim: Well, let me ask you, what is it about Japanese baseball
that either puzzled, or intrigued you,
or made you fall in love with it?
Fan: You've heard of it, you hear of it.
I had a lot of friends that came over here,
and I didn't really understand how good they were.
You know, when you leave the Major Leagues,
Major Leagues is the top place to play.
You come on the other side of the world and they appreciate
you, they appreciate what you did over there,
but I appreciate how they approach the game.
Miguel: We all understand the tradition and the history
in Tokyo Dome.
I'll take it all in because it's a one in a life experience.
Dave: Emotions.
Anticipation.
Open day is finally here.
Excitement.
I think the last handful of days,
you could see how excited the fans were,
the people in Tokyo were.
Our players are ready to get going.
[Music]
Announcer: Cubs taking on the Dodgers.
It's game one of 162.
[Cheering]
Announcer: This is one of those special days that everybody's
gonna say they had a ticket to in Japan, right?
Announcer: All of Japan will say they were at this game.
This is their homecoming.
We have flashing lights in the seats.
This is the toughest ticket in the Tokyo Dome
in quite some time.
[Cheering]
Announcer: At this time, we ask that you please rise if you're
able and kindly remove your caps.
Jason: Japan has taken baseball from the US,
and recreated it in its own image,
and molded it to be Japanese.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Cubs, Dodgers.
Shota Imanaga versus Shohei Ohtani.
2025 Major League Baseball season, about to get underway.
[Music & cheering]
[Cheering]
Announcer: Ohtani has the first Dodgers hit of the year,
and it comes in front of an adoring nation.
Announcer: An emotional day for Seiya Suzuki from Arakawa.
21 minute drive from the Tokyo Dome.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Derrek Lee joins us.
Derrek: Think about Seiya, and Shota, and Shohei.
It's got to be a really cool feeling for those guys to get to
come back and put on a show.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Pretty special evening.
First time two Japanese-born pitchers starting against each
other on opening day in Major League Baseball history.
[Cheering]
Announcer: This is one of those days that will stick in young
people's minds.
Announcer: Holy smoke!
A laser beam strike from Ichiro!
Sayonara!
Hideki Matsui!
Jason: Shohei Ohtani watched Hideki Matsui playing in Major
League Baseball when he was a kid.
And that maybe made him think, "Oh, I can be there one day. ”
Announcer: The throw gets away.
It's into the camera well.
Jason: There was a kid in the crowd who saw that and said,
"I want to be there. ”
Just like Otani saw Matsui and said, "I want to do that. ”
"I can be on that field one day,
so now I want to play baseball like Shohei Ohtani does. ”
[Cheering]
Announcer: It's a base hit for Shohei Ohtani.
Shohei trots into second.
It's a double.
[Music]
[Chatter]
Coach: For our team,
I think Osaka is the best place to develop your strengths and mentality.
Facing up against opponents that they think they can't beat...
I think it helps the kids learn and improve
and it's a good experience.
Don't rush your swings.
Just take your time and make solid contact.
One hit at a time.
Got it? Players: Yeah.
[Cheering]
[Chatter]
Yasuko: To put it simply, this is my reason for living.
Children have so much to learn from us.
I think it's important for people my age
to teach them all the things that we've learnt.
Baseball hasn't really changed, but the children have.
There's new ways that the younger people think,
so we have to be flexible with our thinking.
So, it's important to absorb it all to teach the kids.
[Chatter]
Coach: For them, if we get a runner on base, it's basically over.
The moment there's a runner on with no outs,
they're basically bracing for a run.
So, now they're desperately trying to hold us down.
They've been just holding out and holding out this whole time.
But once we break through and score, it all opens up.
Once the dam breaks, the water flows out all at once.
They're doing everything they can to hold it back, so we've got to overpower them.
Break through, and the water will flood out.
Understand? Players: Yeah.
Coach: Build a batting lineup like that, okay? Players: Yeah.
Coach: Alright, go in with confidence. Believe in yourselves.
[Cheering]
[Chatter]
Meghan: What's always been so appealing is sports tend to
either be an individual thing, if you're playing something like
tennis, golf, swimming, versus team sports,
football, basketball.
And one of the great things about baseball is you have
both components.
You have the team dynamic, and then when you're in the batter's
box, it's you versus the pitcher.
[Music]
And there's so much attention on the moments where the
individual can impact the outcome in a way that is just
really unique.
Hironobou: The fact that Japanese players have reached these heights is amazing I think
Wow, that's amazing.
Coach: I think it is very important for players here to go to the U.S.
and experience the MLB in the flesh.
Even if they don't play themselves,
I believe more people will tune in to watch baseball.
So I think its become a great time for baseball.
Announcer: Roki Sasaki makes his long-awaited
Major League Baseball debut.
Announcer: His homecoming after pitching in Japan
as recently as last year.
[Music]
Meghan: It was for Japanese baseball fans.
It was for the country.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Trying to see if they can catch a glimpse.
A bright lights moment for Shohei Ohtani.
Announcer: Shohei Ohtani!
[Cheering]
Jason: Japanese players can succeed anywhere,
can succeed in the U.S.
And I think that brought a lot of pride to a lot of people
because it probably gave a lot of people a lot of confidence,
even people who weren't baseball fans.
It showed them that we can compete on the world stage.
Announcer: It seems like every year now,
there's a big prospect of a really talented young player
coming out of Japan.
Coach: The thing about this team is
it's more than just teaching baseball techniques,
it's about using baseball as a tool
to help these kids grow as people.
[Music]
[Cheering]
Announcer: Muncy rips one down the right field line.
Smith is on his way to third.
Into second base goes Muncy.
3-1 delivery, and Happ swings and misses.
Jason: It's a rare chance after the guy leaves
to see him come back as an MVP star.
For a lot of people, that is a chance to show their
appreciation, show their pride, and just be happy that the
players come back.
[Music]
Coach: All of these kids on this team,
they'll become adults, work and become part of society.
Announcer: And sent it the other way, towards left center.
That is going to score another run for the Cubs.
Kelly comes across, and it's a 5-2 ballgame.
Coach: Eventually they'll have their own family and their own kids.
And then raise those kids, it's that cycle over and over again.
Announcer: He cracks a fastball deep to the field.
In a relay, it is in time.
Almost breathlessly awaiting for Shohei Ohtani.
Coach: So for that, using baseball as a sport to prepare them for all of that.
We help them grow their heart essentially, that's the whole point of this team.
Announcer: You know he wants to do something big
in front of these fans.
A 2-2 pitch, and he sends it deep.
[Cheering]
Towards left center field, back at the wall...
It is a home run.
It is the first for Ohtani.
Announcer: Back to the broadcast booth, back to the booth.
And to all baseball fans across the country,
here is Shohei Ohtani.
[Cheering]
How do you feel hearing this applause?
Shohei: I'm really happy we won, and honestly just relieved I was able to get a hit.
Announcer: All eyes were on you coming into this Tokyo Series,
with big expectations.
Including yourself, your team hit three home runs today.
You lit up the Dome. How did that feel?
Shohei: We didn't hit any home runs yesterday.
So getting those powerful, Major-League-style home runs today,
It felt like a great game. I think it was amazing to watch, too.
Announcer: Alright, Ohtani-san...
Could we get a final message to your fans here in Japan?
Shohei: This has truly been a great memory.
And I'd love it if I could play games like this again here someday.
Please continue to support me this year as well.
[Cheering]
Announcer: Thank you, we're really looking forward to your season.
That was Shohei Ohtani.
We got a hero interview with Shohei Ohtani.
Today's broadcasters are Hiroki Kuroda and Hirokazu Ibata.
[Children playing & chatter]
Coach: When I start saying, "That's no good. ”
The kids think, "Uh-oh, today's gonna be rough. ”
So, saying stuff like "Don't do this ” or "Don't do that ” just doesn't work.
Male: It doesn't? Coach: I'll say it again:
Saying things like "Don't do this ” or "Don't do that ” is actually not good.
That got a laugh.
So, I figured I'd repeat it once more.
Female: No but seriously, they need to think.
That's the problem.
Thinking is everything in baseball.
You can't just swing without a plan.
Female: Right? It's all about perception.
Male: Exactly.
Female: The mindset of each player in those moments.
Coach: Sure, baseball needs technical skill, but it's mostly a mental game.
The real question is how the players' mindset evolves.
So, we need to say things that help shift
their mindset toward attacking, toward scoring.
Yasuko: You've got to think about everything you do
but they don't, and that's frustrating.
Coach: We even created tournaments where kids
who don't usually get to play can take the field.
We want even the least skilled kid in the grade to feel like,
"Hey, I got better ” when they graduate.
Right. So, they feel like they want to try again in middle school.
That's the most important thing.
If we forget that, just to get stronger, then we become just another strong team,
and that's boring.
It's all about personal growth.
We want to raise kids who are considerate,
who can understand others' feelings and we use baseball to teach that.
If we can create a space where everyone feels satisfied,
and then make it to Nationals... That would be amazing.
[Chatter]
Ochaban's policy was for kids to be able to do everything on their own.
It's something I have learnt and want to instill in my children too.
She's quite old so I don't know how much longer she will continue.
So, with that, us, the next generation...
We need to look at the next generation
and keep the things that she taught us alive.
[Music]
Meghan: When you get exposed to culture that's not around you
every day, it's, I think, just really eye-opening that
something like baseball, where people from different cultures
can enjoy it in different ways, but still have that
same love for it.
Jason: The game and its relationship with this country
is a way to give the nation a lot of confidence
on a global scale.
Hironobou: Within Japan,
its really come to be viewed as a special sport,
I really fell that the barriers have been broken down.
[Music]
Jason: Leaving Japan and going and conquering the major
leagues, I think bittersweet is a good word for it.
You've done all you can do for us.
Now it's time for you to do what you want to do,
achieve your dreams.
Kanato: I want to become a professional baseball player,
become the home run king, and then go on to the majors
and become a player who can surpass Shohei Ohtani.
Tomohiro: It feels like chances for children to pick up baseball are increasing.
I think that we're helping to build
and connect a new future.
An even more promising future...
is awaiting Japanese baseball, I believe.
Players: Thank you very much.
[Music]