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[Music]

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Downloaded from
YTS.BZ

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[Train rolling]

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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.BZ

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[Music]

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[Music]

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[Baseball bat hitting ball]

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[Baseball bat hitting ball]

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[Baseball bat hitting ball]

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[Music]

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[Baseball bat hitting ball]

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Male: The players that have
gone to America,

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they went to the MLB and
left an impressive record.

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[Music]

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These records leave
a kind of footprint

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and an impact on the
players that will follow them.

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Announcer: We welcome you
to the 2025 Tokyo Series.

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It is a beautiful celebration
of the culture of Japan and of

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Major League Baseball
intertwined together.

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Meghan: This very much
felt like it was for

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Japanese baseball
fans, for the country.

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Announcer: If anybody knows
about going to great lengths

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to realize a dream, it's the
five Japanese-born players

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who will play in a major
league game in front of

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their nation's fans
for the first time.

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Meghan: You're going to have
more kids trying to emulate

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these Japanese players.

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Announcer: Shota Imanaga, Seiya
Suzuki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto,

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Roki Sasaki, and of
course, Shohei Ohtani.

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They are returning
to the Tokyo Dome.

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It's a significant moment
in their baseball journeys.

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Getting set to go for the
reigning World Series champion

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Los Angeles Dodgers
against the Chicago Cubs,

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2025 Major League Baseball
season about to get underway.

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[Music]

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[Whistle]

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Yasuko: Baseball really is...

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You need to have a proper heart.

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If you don't have that then...

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You can't pitch, bat, or
stand your base, I believe.

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Back when this area was built,
there were about 10 kids

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and they'd always play
ball around here.

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And we had five children.

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My husband and I both
had baseball experience

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and wanted to play again, so we
gathered those 10 kids.

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We asked them, 'Why don't you
start playing baseball with us?'

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Baseball really is...

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It really begins
and ends with a bow.

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It's very correct with
its rules, very formal.

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[Player speaking in
foreign language]

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It's a game that is very
hard to teach to children.

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[Coach speaking in
foreign language]

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Use your toes, not
your heels, your toes.

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[Player grunts]

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Try putting your hand on it when
you're making that connection.

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Both hands, both hands,
both hands, both hands.

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When you catch, step forward.

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Catch with both hands.

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Get it with both hands
and move forward.

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Things like the
language they use.

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I teach them that they
need to be polite, greet people properly.

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I tell them they need to
grow up in a way

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that doesn't bring shame to
those people that raised them.

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It should never be about
self-centered desires or egos,

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I want this team to be...

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A place where we truly raise

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the next generation of
children in the right way.

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You have to grab it
as soon as you catch it.

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My son, Toru, joined my team

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and he played through his middle
and high school years.

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Later on, he'd come to help
us and coach the kids.

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He saw my teaching technique
and then naturally,

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he just ended up becoming
the coach of this team.

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Of course we're mother and child
but when we step onto the field

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we're co-coaches,
teaching baseball.

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[Speaking foreign language]

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Toru: Baseball is a team
sport where everyone must support one another.

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Everyone works together
to help one another.

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Of course, there's the batters
box where everyone gets a chance

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to play the lead
role for a moment.

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And then there are times
where you must play the supporting role.

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But in order for the team
to win, everyone needs to be playing their part.

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And think carefully
about what that part is.

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When we were little, Major
League Baseball was a world that was so amazing to us.

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In this island that is
Japan, if we crossed the sea there was this...

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Stage that felt like a
dream, with absolute superstars.

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They were playing baseball on
a level that Japanese people couldn't even comprehend.

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Announcer: You can
hear the fans.

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Ichiro, Ichiro.

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Toru: But from then,
more and more Japanese players went to the MLB.

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Announcer: For eight innings,
Hideo Nomo has not allowed--

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Toru: It makes me so happy
seeing them make it.

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Announcer: A grand slam
for Hideki Matsui!

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Toru: So I'm so grateful to
those Japanese players that gave these kids these dreams.

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[Music]

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[Chatter]

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Host: Good morning, everybody.

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We appreciate the hard work and
hospitality of so many who have

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made the Tokyo Series a reality.

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Guys, thank you so
much for being here.

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Welcome home.

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It's great to have you here.

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We appreciate your time.

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We will begin with
questions in Japanese,

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and we will take
questions in English

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following the
questions in Japanese.

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Interviewer: First, I would like
to start with Shohei Ohtani.

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Welcome back to Japan.

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The season opener will be
held in his home of Japan.

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How are you feeling now?

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Shohei: First of all, I would
like to make this series a good one,

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and I would be
happy if many people

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could see the activities
of many Japanese people,

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including the other two here,

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as well as the Cubs.

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Interviewer: Now that the
four games will begin tomorrow,

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please tell us
how you are feeling.

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Shota: I feel the
excitement of Japan,

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but I also have a sense of
responsibility and pressure.

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Seiya: You know, I used to watch
Major League Baseball games

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at the Tokyo Dome
when I was a kid.

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So I would be very happy if
I could make

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as much of a positive
impact as possible.

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Yoshinobu: I have not
played yet, so I don't know what to expect,

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but I have always wanted
to play on this stage,

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so I will try to play in my
own way first,

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and although I am sure
I will be nervous and anxious,

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I hope to be
able to play well.

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Interviewer: Obviously,
the series has five

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Japanese-born players, and there
are more players throughout

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Major League Baseball.

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Does this feel like
a golden generation

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for Japanese baseball?

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Seiya: I think we are here today

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because of what our seniors
have done for us,

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so we want to do our best

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here again and dream that many
more Japanese athletes

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will be able to play in the U.S.

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I hope that this will
not be the golden age for us

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and that we will have a
brighter future ahead of us.

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[Music]

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[Laughter]

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[Music]

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Jason: I moved to Japan in 2007.

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It's a lot different than
being in the States.

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When I came here, I did
not speak Japanese,

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so I could only talk to
the foreign players.

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And you miss a lot of the story
because there may be three or

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four foreign players
on the team,

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and they may not have
done anything that day.

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So, instead of getting
the news directly,

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you're filtering it through
someone else's experience and

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someone else's point of view.

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So, that was the biggest
adjustment, I think,

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was just the language.

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And then figuring out how
things work in Japan as far as

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covering baseball.

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Japan is very focused
on the fundamentals.

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Author Robert Whiting said,
"Japanese basically turn

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baseball into a martial art. ”

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And, you know, in a way, he's
correct because the discipline

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and the structure.

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But there is a misconception
that Japan is this completely

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rigid society.

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And it's not entirely true
because a lot of the players,

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they have fun.

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They do things
outside of the box.

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So, it's not entirely true, but
there is a reflection of that

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corporate mentality
of nine to five of,

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"This is what we have to do.

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We're going to do it this
way, ” reflected in the game.

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And I think maybe in the US,
there's a little bit more,

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I guess, freedom in a way.

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[Baseball bat hitting ball]

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Participant: Japan doesn't
usually have an MLB opening series like this

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so I'm thrilled
to be able to participate.

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Participant: For me, it's the
Cubs player Crow-Armstrong

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whom I'm most interested in.

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Participant: I'm from
Touhoku and I played in the same Little League.

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So for me, I'm most interested
in watching Ohtani play

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I hope we get to see him
shine, not only in batting but also in pitching.

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Justin: You know, just seeing
the way of life, I think,

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is one of the coolest
things when you're

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visiting a different country.

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Jason: What are you hoping
that your teammates can see

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get out of this trip
as someone who--

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you've been here before?

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Colin: Yeah, I think they've
already been walking out and

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about and tried to experience
as much as they can.

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I know I've heard of some guys
going to some good sushi places.

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Jason: Baseball gave Japan
an outlet to succeed

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on the world stage.

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Especially at a time where it's
like American exceptionalism,

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except here's this Japanese
guy breaking the hits record.

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Here's Shohei Ohtani
just absolutely

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obliterating everything.

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You know what Japanese
fandom is like,

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so when you see like the
attention that Shohei Ohtani is

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getting here, just what do you
think about the pressure that,

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not the pressure, but the
spotlight that's on Ohtani and

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your two teammates as well?

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Justin: Yeah, I can't imagine.

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That's gotta be a lot.

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I don't know how they handle it.

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I think they're definitely more
used to it, but, you know,

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they do such a good
job of handling it.

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00:15:42,567 --> 00:15:44,569
Way better than I
would do, I think.

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Jason: I'm not sure players in
the past who grew up thought

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that MLB was something
that they could achieve.

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I think there was just this...

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this mindset of, "This
is Japan, this is MLB,

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and MLB is a different level. ”

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Meghan: This Tokyo series is a
way to showcase what baseball

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00:16:21,272 --> 00:16:25,109
means in Japan, both on a
cultural level, a fandom level,

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and just the enthusiasm
for the sport.

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So, I was sent all this
way to document the games.

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And so, I think there's some
internal pressure of like,

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I really want to make sure I'm
conveying this like I feel like

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I should and finding that
right balance of like,

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this is a really cool,
special atmosphere versus not

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overthinking what you're writing
and spending too much time

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dwelling on it 'cause that
can work against you too.

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So, it was definitely a
very unique experience.

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I knew in high school I wanted
to go into the journalism world.

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I always loved sports.

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I grew up playing
sports, loved baseball.

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I grew up a Cubs fan.

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Both my parents were Cubs fans.

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So, getting to cover the team,
the one that you grew up

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cheering for, rooting for, for
me was always the dream job.

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It was just really interesting
how much more visible

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the Tokyo Series is being
advertised in Tokyo.

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It feels like the country
is embracing the games.

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00:17:28,798 --> 00:17:32,009
It feels like Major League
Baseball and the teams are very

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00:17:32,134 --> 00:17:35,972
intentional of how they want to
do things and really try and

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connect with fans.

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00:17:39,517 --> 00:17:44,480
These are marquee games for
Japanese baseball fans,

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00:17:44,522 --> 00:17:48,192
and it really feels like
they are the priority.

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00:18:10,673 --> 00:18:16,053
Hironobou: The fact that
Japanese players have reached these heights is amazing.

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I'm very grateful to the MLB.

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00:18:20,850 --> 00:18:26,564
To have these opening games
here in Japan, I'm so grateful.

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A lot more people will be able
to experience the MLB in person.

243
00:18:33,404 --> 00:18:36,907
I think it's great that
something so special

244
00:18:37,074 --> 00:18:40,578
will be experienced
by more people.

245
00:18:40,745 --> 00:18:41,912
[Music]

246
00:18:49,587 --> 00:18:51,088
Within this city called Oshu

247
00:18:52,089 --> 00:18:55,426
the superstar known as
Shohei Ohtani was born.

248
00:18:59,096 --> 00:19:00,097
[Laughter]

249
00:19:11,942 --> 00:19:16,530
Since I was a kid,
I've loved baseball

250
00:19:16,572 --> 00:19:21,619
but along the way,
I fell in love with music.

251
00:19:22,912 --> 00:19:28,959
All the musicians I
followed, they were all known for their hair.

252
00:19:29,460 --> 00:19:31,962
So, I began to get
interested in hair styling.

253
00:19:33,589 --> 00:19:36,801
That's how I began my path
in the 'beauty' business.

254
00:19:37,802 --> 00:19:40,971
I wanted to be the
best in Japan.

255
00:19:41,639 --> 00:19:46,977
When I was younger, I would
compete in hair competitions.

256
00:19:47,311 --> 00:19:50,648
I wasn't very good at the start,

257
00:19:52,149 --> 00:19:55,486
but as I did more, I got
better and won awards.

258
00:19:56,153 --> 00:19:59,448
And began studying like
my life depended on it.

259
00:19:59,490 --> 00:20:04,328
I wanted to open a salon
of the highest level.

260
00:20:04,954 --> 00:20:09,333
With that belief, I opened
'Seems Hair & Salon' 13 years ago.

261
00:20:15,506 --> 00:20:17,341
As a big fan of Ohtani,

262
00:20:17,508 --> 00:20:22,930
the first thing I got was a
signed ball I received

263
00:20:23,013 --> 00:20:25,850
when Ohtani joined Nippon Ham.

264
00:20:25,975 --> 00:20:31,021
I'd see it and think, 'Ohtani
is doing his best today so I've got to as well.'

265
00:20:31,188 --> 00:20:33,482
So I left it here at the Salon.

266
00:20:33,524 --> 00:20:36,527
It was well
received by my customers

267
00:20:36,652 --> 00:20:40,531
so I thought, 'I better get
a uniform as well.'

268
00:20:40,656 --> 00:20:46,704
As Ohtani's star kept
rising, more and more goods were released.

269
00:20:47,538 --> 00:20:49,874
So, it became a mini
exhibition of sorts.

270
00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:51,500
I'd collect these good,

271
00:20:51,542 --> 00:20:56,714
these results of how hard Ohtani
was working towards his goal.

272
00:20:58,007 --> 00:21:02,887
He was a high school
athlete that the country had its eyes on.

273
00:21:03,053 --> 00:21:09,894
I would travel to watch his
matches and support him.

274
00:21:10,561 --> 00:21:14,315
During that time he also
pitched a 160km fast ball,

275
00:21:14,398 --> 00:21:18,402
which was the fastest a high
schooler had ever thrown.

276
00:21:19,570 --> 00:21:23,908
Then from there, he
suddenly said he wanted to make it in the MLB.

277
00:21:25,409 --> 00:21:30,080
So, for me that was
incredibly exciting.

278
00:21:30,247 --> 00:21:32,750
That really made me become a
fan, I knew I had to support him

279
00:21:32,875 --> 00:21:35,419
on this journey that hadn't
been done before.

280
00:21:35,586 --> 00:21:37,254
For me as a hair stylist,

281
00:21:37,421 --> 00:21:42,092
aiming for the top had
been incredibly challenging.

282
00:21:45,930 --> 00:21:47,264
[Chatter]

283
00:21:56,941 --> 00:22:03,447
Of course as salon
workers, we're most known for our haircuts.

284
00:22:07,117 --> 00:22:11,288
Ohtani, whenever he's
in the batters box,

285
00:22:11,413 --> 00:22:14,917
he measures the distance between
the batters box and home base

286
00:22:14,959 --> 00:22:17,461
and positions
himself accordingly.

287
00:22:23,467 --> 00:22:25,302
For us when we're cutting hair,

288
00:22:25,469 --> 00:22:28,472
our position and our form
is incredibly important.

289
00:22:28,639 --> 00:22:33,769
While we're standing
at a 45-degree angle from our customers...

290
00:22:33,811 --> 00:22:42,152
With our elbows flared like this
and using our left hand as a guide, we cut hair.

291
00:22:43,487 --> 00:22:47,241
If there's something
wrong with our form,

292
00:22:47,324 --> 00:22:49,493
If I'm not feeling my best,

293
00:22:49,660 --> 00:22:54,832
I can tell straight away from
my form, if something was off...

294
00:22:54,957 --> 00:23:00,296
I take a step back and
go over looking at my stance and form again.

295
00:23:00,337 --> 00:23:05,342
Then it's a lot easier to
evaluate where I'm going wrong.

296
00:23:09,013 --> 00:23:10,347
[Cheering]

297
00:23:13,142 --> 00:23:18,022
Even as Ohtani's number one fan,
I still have a long way to go.

298
00:23:18,522 --> 00:23:23,152
I'm twice as old as Ohtani...

299
00:23:23,193 --> 00:23:26,530
But I still want to
continue to grow.

300
00:23:27,031 --> 00:23:31,201
I want this shop to
grow along with Ohtani.

301
00:23:31,368 --> 00:23:33,704
That feeling won't change.

302
00:23:34,538 --> 00:23:36,540
[Chatting]

303
00:24:16,246 --> 00:24:19,208
Tomohiro:
When I was about 8 or 9,

304
00:24:19,249 --> 00:24:23,420
I got my very first baseball
glove from my parents.

305
00:24:23,587 --> 00:24:25,923
This was for little league,

306
00:24:26,090 --> 00:24:28,926
so after about 1 or 2 years,

307
00:24:29,718 --> 00:24:34,264
you would grow out of it and
need to replace it with another.

308
00:24:35,265 --> 00:24:39,603
But once you reach
middle school, your hand doesn't get much bigger.

309
00:24:40,104 --> 00:24:44,108
So, you can use the same
glove forever after that.

310
00:24:46,110 --> 00:24:52,282
I think it's all about
memories and attachments you have to the glove.

311
00:24:54,952 --> 00:24:59,289
Glove are made
using cow leather.

312
00:25:00,290 --> 00:25:06,296
The more you use it, the
longer you will get out of it.

313
00:25:08,465 --> 00:25:13,303
If it rips, you can
get it repaired.

314
00:25:14,638 --> 00:25:16,640
For players,

315
00:25:16,765 --> 00:25:23,814
I felt this is where the love
and memories for the glove, begin to happen.

316
00:25:25,983 --> 00:25:28,986
I gave this shop the name
'Rebirth'

317
00:25:29,153 --> 00:25:35,993
as I wanted to essentially bring
these gloves back to life.

318
00:25:44,168 --> 00:25:47,504
Oki-san, got a sec?

319
00:25:47,671 --> 00:25:51,759
This first baseman's mitt.
Oki: Yes.

320
00:25:51,842 --> 00:25:55,345
Tomohiro: A father used
about 25 years ago...

321
00:25:55,512 --> 00:25:58,348
Back when he was playing
school baseball.

322
00:25:59,141 --> 00:26:03,353
Now that his son has started
playing hardball in junior high,

323
00:26:04,021 --> 00:26:07,316
He's getting it completely
remade as a gift.

324
00:26:07,357 --> 00:26:09,318
It's a really special
first baseman's mitt.

325
00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:12,529
We're doing a full remake, so
let's start with the palm liner.

326
00:26:13,030 --> 00:26:16,325
Yeah, the palm liner
is already cracked.

327
00:26:16,492 --> 00:26:19,203
I think we definitely
need to replace it.

328
00:26:20,370 --> 00:26:22,039
And the finger loop too...

329
00:26:22,206 --> 00:26:23,957
Yeah that's quite worn out too.

330
00:26:24,041 --> 00:26:26,835
It should definitely
be replaced as well.

331
00:26:26,877 --> 00:26:27,878
We'll do our best.

332
00:26:28,045 --> 00:26:29,338
Thank you very much!

333
00:26:29,379 --> 00:26:30,881
Please take care of it.

334
00:26:32,549 --> 00:26:34,218
[Music]

335
00:26:49,024 --> 00:26:54,530
By remaking these gloves you've
had for 30 or 40 years...

336
00:26:54,571 --> 00:26:58,242
You can use it yourself.

337
00:26:59,076 --> 00:27:02,079
Or you can pass it
on to your son.

338
00:27:03,580 --> 00:27:08,752
Or it could be inherited
by a player you're not related to at all.

339
00:27:10,254 --> 00:27:11,255
So, the glove it...

340
00:27:11,421 --> 00:27:15,759
It can live its second
or third life.

341
00:27:19,221 --> 00:27:24,726
Firstly, each glove has about
30-40 small parts to it.

342
00:27:24,768 --> 00:27:29,439
We take each piece apart and
remake it, part by part.

343
00:27:30,941 --> 00:27:34,570
Even though we remake it,
it isn't a brand new glove,

344
00:27:34,611 --> 00:27:38,282
it's a glove with character
and one that's been used.

345
00:27:38,615 --> 00:27:41,118
So, each glove has
its own shape.

346
00:27:46,123 --> 00:27:49,126
But it's not just
about the gloves.

347
00:27:50,127 --> 00:27:53,630
Every player, their
family, their team...

348
00:27:54,298 --> 00:27:58,302
I believe we're helping to
create memories for them.

349
00:27:59,469 --> 00:28:03,473
Gloves are hmm...
how should I put it?

350
00:28:04,641 --> 00:28:07,895
They are a player's
prized possession.

351
00:28:07,978 --> 00:28:11,982
So, that process of giving
this prized possession

352
00:28:12,149 --> 00:28:14,985
those memories that make it so.

353
00:28:16,820 --> 00:28:18,947
We're a part of the journey

354
00:28:18,989 --> 00:28:25,329
in making these memories
happen, I feel.

355
00:28:34,171 --> 00:28:36,340
Customer: This one's
a custom order.

356
00:28:36,465 --> 00:28:38,842
So, I'm not quite sure what
the original color was.

357
00:28:38,967 --> 00:28:41,261
It was given to me, so
I think it was green.

358
00:28:41,303 --> 00:28:44,181
I think the lace color
was matched to this and the embroidery.

359
00:28:45,182 --> 00:28:46,642
Could you bring me one?

360
00:28:46,683 --> 00:28:49,436
It's a slightly darker green--
This kind of green.

361
00:28:49,519 --> 00:28:51,521
Ah, no worries at all,
that's totally fine.

362
00:28:53,190 --> 00:28:54,608
Are you still playing
rubber-ball baseball?

363
00:28:54,691 --> 00:28:56,318
Yes, rubber-ball.

364
00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:58,362
But you'll be switching to
hardball in high school?

365
00:28:58,528 --> 00:28:59,363
Ah, I see.

366
00:29:00,697 --> 00:29:02,866
Not mixed with the boys,
girls' hardball?

367
00:29:03,033 --> 00:29:03,867
Girls' team, yes.

368
00:29:05,702 --> 00:29:09,039
Kind of, but at first she
couldn't stay home alone,

369
00:29:09,164 --> 00:29:12,876
so I brought her to the
field and before I knew it, she started playing.

370
00:29:13,001 --> 00:29:16,296
There was never really
a stopping point, she just kept at it.

371
00:29:16,380 --> 00:29:17,214
That's nice.

372
00:29:25,180 --> 00:29:26,014
How does it feel?

373
00:29:26,056 --> 00:29:27,224
Feels good.

374
00:29:29,893 --> 00:29:30,727
What do you think?

375
00:29:31,228 --> 00:29:32,229
I like red.

376
00:29:32,396 --> 00:29:33,313
You like red?

377
00:29:33,397 --> 00:29:34,564
Yeah.

378
00:29:38,568 --> 00:29:42,906
Here at Rebirth, we get a
lot of children visiting.

379
00:29:43,073 --> 00:29:46,159
So these players
starting from...

380
00:29:46,243 --> 00:29:51,248
Elementary, middle, high school,
college and then even as adults.

381
00:29:51,373 --> 00:29:58,422
We want to support
their baseball journey through all stages.

382
00:29:59,923 --> 00:30:01,258
By doing that...

383
00:30:01,383 --> 00:30:05,762
I think that the
future of baseball in Japan is very bright.

384
00:30:07,931 --> 00:30:09,099
[Music]

385
00:30:31,121 --> 00:30:33,915
Tameo: Since starting
this job,

386
00:30:33,957 --> 00:30:39,379
baseball has become
a facet of my life.

387
00:30:39,421 --> 00:30:45,302
So if you asked me whether
or not I enjoy watching baseball for entertainment,

388
00:30:45,469 --> 00:30:46,636
I would say I don't.

389
00:30:52,142 --> 00:30:53,810
[Music]

390
00:31:07,157 --> 00:31:09,993
How are the players
holding their bat

391
00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:13,663
and things like that, I end
up looking at too closely.

392
00:31:13,830 --> 00:31:19,002
I end up observing
baseball in that way.

393
00:31:35,644 --> 00:31:42,692
But actually initially, I
was in the Golf manufacturing division.

394
00:31:42,859 --> 00:31:45,529
Then after about
7 years there...

395
00:31:45,654 --> 00:31:49,282
The predecessor, the one
making bats before me.

396
00:31:49,366 --> 00:31:51,451
He ended up resigning so...

397
00:31:51,535 --> 00:31:57,374
So, when they were looking
for a replacement, I applied.

398
00:31:57,541 --> 00:32:02,379
And I was selected out
of 5 people for the job.

399
00:32:02,546 --> 00:32:07,384
So that was what was the
beginning of doing this job.

400
00:32:10,554 --> 00:32:14,516
Well, you see, with
Mizuno as a company,

401
00:32:14,558 --> 00:32:18,228
we were a company that
started by making tools.

402
00:32:18,395 --> 00:32:25,360
Usually sports makers
have shoes and clothes

403
00:32:25,402 --> 00:32:31,366
and that's their
lead into the market.

404
00:32:31,408 --> 00:32:36,246
But with Mizuno, it really
was a baseball tool maker from the get-go.

405
00:32:36,371 --> 00:32:42,085
The legacy of them as baseball
goods-makers is very...

406
00:32:42,252 --> 00:32:48,758
is quite a long and
rich one I believe.

407
00:33:01,104 --> 00:33:06,610
Yes, for the players
using our bats,

408
00:33:06,776 --> 00:33:10,405
we always keep in mind whilst
making them

409
00:33:10,447 --> 00:33:17,287
that we want the players to
be able to bat to the best of their ability.

410
00:33:25,795 --> 00:33:26,796
Yes, well...

411
00:33:26,963 --> 00:33:33,136
A bat is a tool to be used,
now for the players...

412
00:33:33,261 --> 00:33:37,807
With that bat, each hit
they make is connected.

413
00:33:37,933 --> 00:33:44,314
Each hit is connected to their
salary, their livelihood.

414
00:33:44,481 --> 00:33:46,816
It's their own.

415
00:33:51,613 --> 00:33:55,408
Looking at it from a very
Japanese perspective,

416
00:33:55,492 --> 00:33:56,660
one would say...

417
00:33:56,826 --> 00:34:00,080
It's one of your own limbs

418
00:34:00,163 --> 00:34:05,001
There's a lot of
players that definitely view it in that fashion.

419
00:34:05,126 --> 00:34:07,462
So I think that there's a lot
of players

420
00:34:07,504 --> 00:34:10,674
that treat their bats with
a great deal of respect.

421
00:34:15,512 --> 00:34:20,767
I think that the spirit of
challenge

422
00:34:20,850 --> 00:34:25,689
is what makes Japanese players

423
00:34:25,855 --> 00:34:29,025
see how far they can go.

424
00:34:29,192 --> 00:34:30,694
Really, how far can one go?

425
00:34:30,860 --> 00:34:34,447
That challenge...

426
00:34:34,531 --> 00:34:41,121
is what really drives
the players we see

427
00:34:41,204 --> 00:34:45,834
at the moment I believe.

428
00:34:45,875 --> 00:34:52,382
I would like us to emulate
that spirit of challenge when making bats.

429
00:35:00,724 --> 00:35:04,144
When I watch American baseball,

430
00:35:04,227 --> 00:35:11,192
I think it is
more like entertainment.

431
00:35:13,403 --> 00:35:17,032
When I watch Japanese baseball,

432
00:35:17,198 --> 00:35:22,370
I think that baseball is
played while enjoying the game

433
00:35:22,412 --> 00:35:25,915
and having fun together
with the players.

434
00:35:27,709 --> 00:35:29,210
Announcer: Japan is a
baseball-obsessed nation,

435
00:35:29,252 --> 00:35:32,255
and it is absolutely buzzing
ahead of the Tokyo series for

436
00:35:32,422 --> 00:35:34,883
the Dodgers and Cubs, but before
that, a couple exhibition games.

437
00:35:34,924 --> 00:35:37,844
Announcer: Now, please welcome
to the field the team for

438
00:35:37,927 --> 00:35:39,846
today's exhibition game.

439
00:35:39,888 --> 00:35:42,390
The Cubs are led
by Shota Imanaga.

440
00:35:42,432 --> 00:35:44,351
Welcome back to Japan!

441
00:35:44,434 --> 00:35:45,769
[Cheering]

442
00:35:53,777 --> 00:35:55,904
Announcer: World Series
Champion, Shohei Otani,

443
00:35:55,945 --> 00:35:57,947
back in his home country.

444
00:36:01,284 --> 00:36:03,078
Jason: The game of
baseball lends itself

445
00:36:03,119 --> 00:36:05,955
to Japanese culture.

446
00:36:08,249 --> 00:36:11,795
You have all these individual
people all working

447
00:36:11,961 --> 00:36:12,962
in concert together.

448
00:36:13,797 --> 00:36:15,799
They all have their role
to play in the game.

449
00:36:15,965 --> 00:36:17,258
[Cheering]

450
00:36:18,093 --> 00:36:19,469
Announcer: Right center
field, splits the gap.

451
00:36:20,637 --> 00:36:22,222
Jason: They do their job
so that the next person

452
00:36:22,305 --> 00:36:23,473
can do their job.

453
00:36:23,640 --> 00:36:26,726
The leadoff man hits a single
so that the next person

454
00:36:26,810 --> 00:36:29,270
can bunt, so that the
next person can then try

455
00:36:29,312 --> 00:36:30,438
to drive that runner in.

456
00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:31,272
Announcer: 2-2 pitch from Snell.

457
00:36:31,439 --> 00:36:32,315
Uh-oh.

458
00:36:32,482 --> 00:36:35,402
Going high, fly ball
deep right field.

459
00:36:35,485 --> 00:36:37,612
Jason: So, that second
guy sacrificed himself

460
00:36:37,654 --> 00:36:38,655
for the greater good.

461
00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:41,157
Announcer: Sends the
Tokyo Dome into a frenzy.

462
00:36:44,494 --> 00:36:47,080
Japanese fans,
there's always noise.

463
00:36:47,163 --> 00:36:48,164
It's always loud.

464
00:36:48,331 --> 00:36:49,332
They're always cheering.

465
00:36:49,999 --> 00:36:53,128
I think the main difference
is in MLB games,

466
00:36:53,169 --> 00:36:55,338
there's no noise
between at bats.

467
00:36:55,505 --> 00:36:56,840
[Music & cheering]

468
00:37:00,343 --> 00:37:03,513
Japan is just constant noise and
constant something going on.

469
00:37:08,017 --> 00:37:10,437
The cheering, that's
just part of the culture

470
00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:11,521
that they've been in.

471
00:37:12,689 --> 00:37:13,690
It's very organized.

472
00:37:13,857 --> 00:37:15,024
[Cheering]

473
00:37:18,695 --> 00:37:19,863
[Whistle]

474
00:37:23,700 --> 00:37:25,034
Each player has a cheer.

475
00:37:25,869 --> 00:37:27,829
And then, when there's a
runner on second base,

476
00:37:27,871 --> 00:37:28,872
there's a cheer for that.

477
00:37:29,038 --> 00:37:30,206
[Cheering]

478
00:37:32,500 --> 00:37:34,043
And when the bases are loaded
or there's a good chance to

479
00:37:34,210 --> 00:37:35,295
score, there's a cheer for that.

480
00:37:35,378 --> 00:37:36,880
[Music & Cheering]

481
00:37:46,389 --> 00:37:49,309
It's just the culture
of Japanese baseball.

482
00:37:49,392 --> 00:37:53,146
It's one thing that I know a lot
of people come to Japan when

483
00:37:53,229 --> 00:37:54,147
they watch baseball games.

484
00:37:54,230 --> 00:37:54,898
This is what they want to see.

485
00:37:55,857 --> 00:37:58,860
They want to experience the way
the fans cheer and the way the

486
00:37:58,902 --> 00:38:00,069
stadium gets into it.

487
00:38:01,070 --> 00:38:03,698
I know especially the Hanshin
Tigers fans are very loud and

488
00:38:03,740 --> 00:38:08,828
very famous for being
a very, shall we say,

489
00:38:08,912 --> 00:38:11,080
enthusiastic fan base.

490
00:38:11,247 --> 00:38:12,582
[Music & cheering]

491
00:38:18,213 --> 00:38:19,923
Meghan: The exhibition
games are really fun.

492
00:38:20,048 --> 00:38:23,593
I remember having talked to
players who had played in Japan

493
00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:28,848
how crazy fans could be at
the Nippon professional

494
00:38:28,932 --> 00:38:30,099
baseball games.

495
00:38:30,266 --> 00:38:32,352
And so, knowing that they're
going to be playing two

496
00:38:32,435 --> 00:38:36,898
exhibition games, probably what
I'm most looking forward to.

497
00:38:36,940 --> 00:38:38,608
[Cheering]

498
00:38:40,944 --> 00:38:42,278
[Music]

499
00:38:43,738 --> 00:38:47,200
It feels like there is more
small ball elements that the

500
00:38:47,283 --> 00:38:49,953
Japanese teams are
willing to tap into.

501
00:38:52,288 --> 00:38:56,960
Seeing the slow base of
times, hit and runs.

502
00:38:59,254 --> 00:39:02,298
As someone who grew up in
the 90s watching baseball,

503
00:39:02,423 --> 00:39:06,553
like threw me back to that era
where it felt like it was a

504
00:39:06,594 --> 00:39:11,641
complete team, where the lineup
was constructed to build off of

505
00:39:11,808 --> 00:39:14,811
each other and those
small ball elements.

506
00:39:18,815 --> 00:39:20,441
Getting to experience
the uniqueness,

507
00:39:20,483 --> 00:39:23,152
that element to those games
with the cheering and chanting

508
00:39:23,319 --> 00:39:25,154
is so cool.

509
00:39:26,489 --> 00:39:28,324
[Cheering]

510
00:39:42,005 --> 00:39:43,006
Jim: How's it going?

511
00:39:43,172 --> 00:39:44,757
Jason: Good, just getting
ready for the series.

512
00:39:44,841 --> 00:39:45,842
Jim: I know.

513
00:39:46,009 --> 00:39:49,304
Jason: I met Jim at my
very first baseball game.

514
00:39:49,345 --> 00:39:54,851
Jim, in the 90s, started a
Japanese baseball newsletter.

515
00:39:55,018 --> 00:39:59,689
So, he's been doing it for a
very, very, very long time.

516
00:39:59,856 --> 00:40:02,609
He blogs about what he
thinks about the game,

517
00:40:02,650 --> 00:40:05,987
which he does that with a lot of
experience, having seen Japan,

518
00:40:06,029 --> 00:40:08,197
having seen Japanese
baseball, having lived here

519
00:40:08,364 --> 00:40:09,699
for over 40 years.

520
00:40:11,701 --> 00:40:14,829
When the Red Sox came, it
wasn't as big as this one is.

521
00:40:14,871 --> 00:40:16,205
Jim: It wasn't.

522
00:40:16,372 --> 00:40:17,373
It was big.

523
00:40:17,498 --> 00:40:19,959
Jason: This one just
feels, like, otherworldly.

524
00:40:20,043 --> 00:40:21,878
Jim: Well, there's never been--

525
00:40:22,003 --> 00:40:24,047
There's always been
one or two players.

526
00:40:24,172 --> 00:40:27,050
Jason: The whole series about
Ohtani though, basically.

527
00:40:27,216 --> 00:40:29,677
Jim: You know, it's
like, how much bigger

528
00:40:29,719 --> 00:40:31,387
can Shohei Ohtani get?

529
00:40:31,554 --> 00:40:34,015
Jason: Well, you ask that,
but then he gets even bigger.

530
00:40:34,057 --> 00:40:37,310
Jim: Well, you were at the
Japan Press Club, right?

531
00:40:37,393 --> 00:40:38,561
When you said,
"What's your goal? ”

532
00:40:38,686 --> 00:40:40,521
And he says, "I want to be
able to walk down the street,

533
00:40:40,563 --> 00:40:43,191
and people will say, 'There
goes the best baseball player,

534
00:40:43,232 --> 00:40:44,734
the world's best."'

535
00:40:44,901 --> 00:40:46,069
And the irony is you can't do it

536
00:40:46,194 --> 00:40:47,487
because he can't walk
down the street.

537
00:40:47,570 --> 00:40:48,738
Jason: Yeah.

538
00:40:48,905 --> 00:40:53,076
Jim: You know, it's funny
because I see so many of the

539
00:40:53,242 --> 00:40:55,578
players now, young players.

540
00:40:55,745 --> 00:41:00,333
I really think there's going to
be this huge boom of Japanese

541
00:41:00,375 --> 00:41:04,587
amateurs going to MLB in
the next five, six years.

542
00:41:13,262 --> 00:41:14,597
[Music]

543
00:41:30,113 --> 00:41:31,781
[Applause]

544
00:41:35,284 --> 00:41:38,788
Announcer: Ladies and
gentlemen, boys and girls,

545
00:41:39,455 --> 00:41:40,957
welcome to Japan.

546
00:41:41,791 --> 00:41:43,292
First and foremost,

547
00:41:43,418 --> 00:41:50,216
I'm really happy that everyone
is here safe and sound.

548
00:41:50,299 --> 00:41:54,262
And I hope you all
cherish your time with your loved ones in Japan.

549
00:41:54,303 --> 00:41:55,096
Thank you, have fun!

550
00:41:55,138 --> 00:41:57,140
[Applause]

551
00:41:57,306 --> 00:41:58,474
Set, go.

552
00:42:02,979 --> 00:42:05,148
Wonderful!

553
00:42:08,276 --> 00:42:10,820
Justin: We get to honor our
teammates by coming to their own

554
00:42:10,987 --> 00:42:13,406
country and people
that mean a lot to us.

555
00:42:13,448 --> 00:42:16,242
They're proud and they're
joyful that they get to share

556
00:42:16,325 --> 00:42:17,493
this with us.

557
00:42:19,662 --> 00:42:22,832
Kizuna, which is like a
Japanese word for bond,

558
00:42:22,999 --> 00:42:28,129
that started for our team with
a great party and being able

559
00:42:28,171 --> 00:42:29,338
to be together.

560
00:42:30,673 --> 00:42:33,676
This is the start of a
journey for our team.

561
00:42:48,357 --> 00:42:52,361
Female Announcer: Hello
to the sixth graders of Kyodo Elementary School.

562
00:42:52,487 --> 00:42:59,535
While excitement over the
MLB Opening Series is spreading throughout Japan,

563
00:42:59,702 --> 00:43:01,370
right here in this gymnasium.

564
00:43:01,496 --> 00:43:08,503
Cubs alumni and Clark will soon
enter from the back entrance.

565
00:43:09,212 --> 00:43:11,547
Let's all give them a warm round
of applause as they enter!

566
00:43:11,714 --> 00:43:13,382
[Cheering]

567
00:43:36,364 --> 00:43:42,745
Now I'd like to introduce
our guests that have joined us here today.

568
00:43:42,912 --> 00:43:48,334
First, we have Kosuke
Fukudome, a Chicago Cubs alum.

569
00:43:48,417 --> 00:43:50,211
[Cheering]

570
00:43:50,253 --> 00:43:53,923
Fukudome is a Major Leaguer
from Japan,

571
00:43:54,048 --> 00:43:58,094
who made a name for himself
with the Chicago Cubs.

572
00:43:58,261 --> 00:44:04,851
Next, we have special
guest, Mr. Derrek Lee.

573
00:44:04,934 --> 00:44:08,521
Derrek was selected for the MLB
All-Star Game

574
00:44:08,563 --> 00:44:13,109
and won the batting title.
His skills are top notch.

575
00:44:13,276 --> 00:44:14,777
[Applause]

576
00:44:19,949 --> 00:44:22,368
Student: Umm...

577
00:44:22,451 --> 00:44:23,786
[Laughter]

578
00:44:26,122 --> 00:44:31,961
Um, are there any differences

579
00:44:32,128 --> 00:44:36,716
between baseball

580
00:44:36,799 --> 00:44:39,302
in Japan and America?

581
00:44:39,427 --> 00:44:43,306
Are there things that
are the same and things that are different?

582
00:44:43,431 --> 00:44:47,393
Kosuke: Well, as you can
probably tell just by looking here,

583
00:44:47,476 --> 00:44:50,146
Derrick Lee is really tall,
right?

584
00:44:50,313 --> 00:44:51,814
Right? He's big, right?

585
00:44:51,981 --> 00:44:54,275
So, Japanese players like me
tend to be smaller.

586
00:44:54,358 --> 00:44:56,444
I■m considered tall
for a Japanese person,

587
00:44:56,485 --> 00:44:58,529
but even then,
I■m still small in comparison.

588
00:44:58,654 --> 00:45:01,949
Since I played old-school
Japanese baseball,

589
00:45:01,991 --> 00:45:06,913
we ran every day, hit balls
every day, like,

590
00:45:06,954 --> 00:45:12,835
like, 1,000 or even
2,000 swings a day.

591
00:45:13,002 --> 00:45:16,839
We just did tons of reps.

592
00:45:16,964 --> 00:45:21,844
Training methods are quite
different between Japanese and American players.

593
00:45:22,970 --> 00:45:27,350
Meghan: Kosuke Fukudome and
Derrick Lee are at a school

594
00:45:27,516 --> 00:45:30,978
outside of Tokyo to
talk to students there.

595
00:45:31,020 --> 00:45:34,273
Derrick Lee had spent
time in Japan as a kid.

596
00:45:34,315 --> 00:45:38,527
His dad had played in Japan, so
he got to have some exposure to

597
00:45:38,694 --> 00:45:41,656
the country, to the culture, to
the school system while he was

598
00:45:41,697 --> 00:45:42,865
there when he was younger.

599
00:45:42,990 --> 00:45:47,036
Seeing how excited those kids
were to meet Derek Lee or

600
00:45:47,161 --> 00:45:51,624
Fukudome, that definitely
could have an impact.

601
00:45:51,707 --> 00:45:54,543
Student: How do you even find
a dream in the first place?

602
00:45:54,710 --> 00:45:55,628
Derrek: Good questions.

603
00:45:55,711 --> 00:45:56,879
Are you guys 12 really?

604
00:45:58,547 --> 00:46:01,050
[Translates]

605
00:46:01,217 --> 00:46:02,885
[Laughter]

606
00:46:03,010 --> 00:46:06,222
Meghan: Those are meaningful
connections that are a clear

607
00:46:06,389 --> 00:46:13,187
pathway to creating fandom
connections with young fans that

608
00:46:13,229 --> 00:46:15,064
obviously then evolve over time.

609
00:46:16,399 --> 00:46:20,236
Student: What's important
in order to make your dreams come true?

610
00:46:22,863 --> 00:46:29,495
Kosuke: Something you
love, something you really enjoy doing.

611
00:46:29,578 --> 00:46:34,250
Because when you love
something, you can keep doing it for a long time.

612
00:46:34,417 --> 00:46:38,754
It's hard to stick with
something you don't like.

613
00:46:38,921 --> 00:46:43,592
But your dream is usually
tied to something you do like.

614
00:46:43,718 --> 00:46:46,679
Meghan: Getting that up close
look of major league players and

615
00:46:46,762 --> 00:46:50,349
then specifically showing the
example of this can be a dream

616
00:46:50,433 --> 00:46:52,018
for you if you want it to be.

617
00:46:52,101 --> 00:46:54,854
You can come and play in
Major League Baseball,

618
00:46:54,895 --> 00:46:58,107
and there is a path to
making that happen.

619
00:47:05,948 --> 00:47:09,618
For me, Fukudome was the main
Japanese player that I was

620
00:47:09,785 --> 00:47:11,370
really exposed to
on a regular basis,

621
00:47:11,412 --> 00:47:13,622
having grown up a Cubs fan.

622
00:47:15,082 --> 00:47:17,251
Interviewer: The Cubs have put
a lot of time and effort into

623
00:47:17,293 --> 00:47:20,921
figuring out how to best
help Japanese players

624
00:47:20,963 --> 00:47:22,131
transition over.

625
00:47:22,256 --> 00:47:24,133
Just talking with some
of the current players,

626
00:47:24,258 --> 00:47:25,968
how have things changed
from when you had to

627
00:47:26,135 --> 00:47:28,137
make that transition?

628
00:47:28,512 --> 00:47:30,973
I think more and more people
are starting to understand now.

629
00:47:31,098 --> 00:47:33,642
It■s becoming a much
easier environment to try new challenges.

630
00:47:33,809 --> 00:47:37,605
Meghan: That exposure for Cubs
fans, when then you're signing,

631
00:47:37,646 --> 00:47:42,109
say, Suzuki and Shota Imanaga,
you're having one generation

632
00:47:42,151 --> 00:47:47,156
that's already had a
fan-favorite Japanese player,

633
00:47:47,323 --> 00:47:48,949
and now you have
another generation.

634
00:47:48,991 --> 00:47:50,785
Interviewer: Thank you so much.

635
00:47:50,826 --> 00:47:52,953
[Speaking foreign language]

636
00:47:52,995 --> 00:47:55,831
Translator: Then have fun and
enjoy going around Japan.

637
00:47:55,998 --> 00:47:57,166
Interviewer: Oh,
yeah, thank you.

638
00:47:57,291 --> 00:48:01,754
Meghan: I think it's a really
neat way where the past gets

639
00:48:01,837 --> 00:48:04,173
connected to where
baseball is going.

640
00:48:05,174 --> 00:48:09,178
And clearly, that's trying to
continue to push to be a more

641
00:48:09,345 --> 00:48:10,846
global sport.

642
00:48:25,861 --> 00:48:28,489
Kanato: When I
joined Little Wolf,

643
00:48:28,531 --> 00:48:32,201
I didn't even know if I'd
make it on the field.

644
00:48:33,869 --> 00:48:38,374
But I joined and I think I've
made a lot of improvements.

645
00:48:39,875 --> 00:48:45,381
I practice with the feeling
that I'm definitely going to win nationals.

646
00:48:46,215 --> 00:48:50,886
Then make it to the
Major Leagues and surpass Shohei Ohtani.

647
00:48:56,517 --> 00:48:59,979
Shogo: I began playing
baseball in my second year of elementary school,

648
00:49:00,062 --> 00:49:06,026
in the area that I lived,
with the local team.

649
00:49:06,068 --> 00:49:09,071
Then when Kanato was born...

650
00:49:09,238 --> 00:49:15,911
He was in the same team, at the
same ground that had raised me.

651
00:49:17,037 --> 00:49:21,500
So having my son do the
same, at the same ground.

652
00:49:21,584 --> 00:49:26,255
I almost think it's
a miracle at times.

653
00:49:31,594 --> 00:49:34,430
Kanato: Players like Ohtani...

654
00:49:34,555 --> 00:49:38,017
They've been working hard
since they were small.

655
00:49:38,100 --> 00:49:41,270
I want to surpass even
them as a player.

656
00:49:41,437 --> 00:49:45,774
So, I want to keep
giving it my all.

657
00:49:51,113 --> 00:49:53,949
I'm excited to watch
the Tokyo Series.

658
00:49:55,618 --> 00:49:58,621
Watching the movements
of the shortstop...

659
00:49:59,455 --> 00:50:04,376
their defensive position, the
pitchers release position

660
00:50:04,418 --> 00:50:10,132
and I want to observe the timing
of the batter's movements.

661
00:50:11,133 --> 00:50:14,595
I could see them trying even
harder

662
00:50:14,637 --> 00:50:20,434
than I can imagine and
I think it's cool.

663
00:50:26,482 --> 00:50:28,484
My Dad...

664
00:50:29,485 --> 00:50:31,820
He's passionate about baseball.

665
00:50:34,490 --> 00:50:37,993
He always does a lot of
research to help me.

666
00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:42,790
So, I want to show him results.

667
00:50:42,831 --> 00:50:45,584
Shogo: You feeling good today?
Kanato: Yeah.

668
00:50:45,668 --> 00:50:48,462
Shogo: With batting?
Kanato: Yeah.

669
00:50:48,504 --> 00:50:52,675
Shogo: And throwing?
Kanato: Same with throwing.

670
00:50:54,343 --> 00:50:55,844
I've got this.

671
00:50:57,638 --> 00:51:00,140
Shogo: If you're up
first, get a home run.

672
00:51:01,183 --> 00:51:04,687
You just need to time it
right, get a strong swing in.

673
00:51:05,813 --> 00:51:10,359
Count 1-2-3, get
ready on the 2...

674
00:51:10,526 --> 00:51:11,819
Wait...

675
00:51:11,860 --> 00:51:13,362
and on 3...

676
00:51:14,196 --> 00:51:17,199
Swing with everything
you've got.

677
00:51:21,370 --> 00:51:25,040
If you get to the
National team, you know,

678
00:51:26,667 --> 00:51:29,878
you might end up getting
to play with Ohtani.

679
00:51:30,045 --> 00:51:31,380
You'd kill it together.

680
00:51:31,672 --> 00:51:36,510
Kanato: If it's not in my
first year, Ohtani will have probably retired.

681
00:51:36,552 --> 00:51:40,556
Shogo: At what age?
Kanato: He'll be like 38, right?

682
00:51:40,723 --> 00:51:42,808
Shogo: Nah, he'll
still be at it.

683
00:51:42,891 --> 00:51:45,227
Kanato: You think so?
Shogo: Without a doubt.

684
00:51:47,730 --> 00:51:51,191
I don't know what it was like
when Babe Ruth was active.

685
00:51:51,233 --> 00:51:54,236
I could only read
about him in books.

686
00:51:55,237 --> 00:52:01,535
It's a miracle that Ohtani is
alive at a time when you're an active player.

687
00:52:01,577 --> 00:52:02,578
You understand?

688
00:52:09,418 --> 00:52:10,919
[Chatter]

689
00:52:22,389 --> 00:52:25,893
Coach: Make sure to greet the
umpire properly before the first pitch.

690
00:52:25,934 --> 00:52:31,190
Do the basics properly and take
care of each and every play.

691
00:52:31,273 --> 00:52:35,069
Then just go ahead
and go for it.

692
00:52:35,110 --> 00:52:36,945
[Cheering]

693
00:52:48,123 --> 00:52:51,627
Shogo: When watching
Kanato play baseball,

694
00:52:52,294 --> 00:52:56,799
I'm amazed by his effort.

695
00:52:58,801 --> 00:53:03,138
And of course seeing Kanato
persevere

696
00:53:03,305 --> 00:53:06,141
gives me great pride.

697
00:53:06,308 --> 00:53:07,810
[Cheering]

698
00:53:16,652 --> 00:53:21,490
He wants to achieve his goal
of becoming a pro player.

699
00:53:21,615 --> 00:53:27,996
So, I want him to aim
high and keep going.

700
00:53:49,351 --> 00:53:54,815
Tamio: These trees were cut
down due to the human ego.

701
00:53:54,857 --> 00:53:58,193
And if they're just being
cut down to make a bat,

702
00:53:58,360 --> 00:54:00,446
then we need to
do our work in a way

703
00:54:00,487 --> 00:54:05,325
that isn't disrespectful to the
tree that was cut down.

704
00:54:05,367 --> 00:54:10,372
We're going to shave
a piece of white ash.

705
00:54:10,539 --> 00:54:12,040
Yoshida: Okay.

706
00:54:12,207 --> 00:54:16,044
Tamio: First, Yoshida-kun, look
through and see which might be a good fit.

707
00:54:16,211 --> 00:54:17,045
Yoshida: Okay.

708
00:54:17,212 --> 00:54:19,715
Tamio: Try sorting by
head and grip shape...

709
00:54:19,882 --> 00:54:20,549
Pick one to start with.

710
00:54:20,716 --> 00:54:21,550
Yoshida: Okay.

711
00:54:28,557 --> 00:54:30,225
It's slightly too low.

712
00:54:32,853 --> 00:54:39,067
Tamio: Yes making something
good for the players is the most important.

713
00:54:39,234 --> 00:54:40,360
Other than that...

714
00:54:40,402 --> 00:54:45,407
It's about training the
next generation.

715
00:54:45,574 --> 00:54:49,870
There's a big importance to
be placed on that.

716
00:54:49,912 --> 00:54:52,414
Of course making good products
is common sense.

717
00:54:55,584 --> 00:54:56,585
Yoshida: First we center
it, right?

718
00:54:56,752 --> 00:54:58,253
Tamio: Yeah, but before
centering,

719
00:54:58,378 --> 00:55:01,256
we have to decide which side is
the grip and which is head.

720
00:55:01,423 --> 00:55:02,424
Yoshida: Right.

721
00:55:03,091 --> 00:55:05,928
Tamio: So for this one, decide
which to make the grip and which the head.

722
00:55:06,094 --> 00:55:07,012
Take a good look at that.

723
00:55:07,095 --> 00:55:08,430
Yoshida: Okay.

724
00:55:12,601 --> 00:55:14,186
For this one...

725
00:55:14,269 --> 00:55:18,774
I think this side will
be the head.

726
00:55:18,941 --> 00:55:20,108
Tamio: This side?
Yoshida: Yeah.

727
00:55:33,080 --> 00:55:34,623
Tamio: Yes.
Then I'll shave it off.

728
00:55:36,124 --> 00:55:38,293
[Music]

729
00:55:42,589 --> 00:55:48,887
But it's also about making sure
there are people that can make those good products.

730
00:55:48,929 --> 00:55:54,643
Which is what I think
my role is becoming

731
00:55:57,771 --> 00:56:03,735
When I first took on this
job, there was Kubota-san.

732
00:56:03,819 --> 00:56:06,822
He was my master,
watching over me.

733
00:56:07,990 --> 00:56:10,909
You could say he taught me

734
00:56:10,993 --> 00:56:13,287
but it was more that he
would say 'steal from me

735
00:56:13,328 --> 00:56:15,831
and use that to
hone your craft.'

736
00:56:16,498 --> 00:56:18,750
That was his stance.

737
00:56:18,792 --> 00:56:24,631
So more than teaching every
minute detail from the first step...

738
00:56:24,673 --> 00:56:28,969
It was more about watching
Kubota's

739
00:56:29,011 --> 00:56:33,348
gestures and his actions.

740
00:56:33,682 --> 00:56:37,269
Also check if the
grip's dimensions

741
00:56:37,352 --> 00:56:40,814
and thickness meet the standard.

742
00:56:40,856 --> 00:56:41,982
Yoshida: Okay.

743
00:56:42,024 --> 00:56:43,859
Tamio: After that, we prepare
for the next step.

744
00:56:44,026 --> 00:56:46,028
[Music]

745
00:56:57,539 --> 00:57:02,711
The materials used to make bats
are changing.

746
00:57:02,836 --> 00:57:07,299
We're at the point where
there's a lot of changes happening right now.

747
00:57:07,382 --> 00:57:10,719
So, thinking about
it that way...

748
00:57:10,886 --> 00:57:15,724
I think of them as
positive changes.

749
00:57:15,891 --> 00:57:20,729
I think children can
truly enjoy baseball

750
00:57:20,854 --> 00:57:24,733
by creating the world,
or rather, the structure of society.

751
00:57:24,900 --> 00:57:30,238
It's a way for
baseball to develop more.

752
00:57:36,745 --> 00:57:39,831
We usually just make
them, not hit them.

753
00:57:39,873 --> 00:57:41,041
Right? Not often.

754
00:57:41,083 --> 00:57:43,418
But it feels great to
actually hit like this.

755
00:57:48,090 --> 00:57:50,425
Ah, yes, that happens too.

756
00:57:56,098 --> 00:57:57,599
It's not just swinging-

757
00:57:57,724 --> 00:58:03,397
I think, "What if I
changed this? Would it be easier to swing? ”

758
00:58:03,438 --> 00:58:07,609
Thinking like that really helps
the next time I make one.

759
00:58:08,610 --> 00:58:10,612
"What should I tweak
to get this feel? ”

760
00:58:10,779 --> 00:58:11,613
That kind of thing.

761
00:58:13,115 --> 00:58:18,787
Keeping the process of making
these bats

762
00:58:18,954 --> 00:58:21,832
sincere and proper.

763
00:58:25,293 --> 00:58:27,629
I think that's a philosophy

764
00:58:27,796 --> 00:58:31,800
that we need to instill in the
younger folk now as well.

765
00:58:42,310 --> 00:58:48,150
I'd like to try my best
to help make that a reality for the children.

766
00:59:06,001 --> 00:59:07,335
[Music]

767
00:59:09,004 --> 00:59:12,340
Tomohiro: When I began working
in baseball goods,

768
00:59:12,507 --> 00:59:16,845
I was able to form bonds with
the makers and craftsmen.

769
00:59:18,013 --> 00:59:19,681
Of course now,

770
00:59:19,848 --> 00:59:25,520
they became my friends
and joined Rebirth.

771
00:59:31,359 --> 00:59:33,153
You should practice once.

772
00:59:39,326 --> 00:59:40,994
It's a little hard to hit,
isn't it? Male: Just a little.

773
00:59:41,036 --> 00:59:42,204
I can't see it.
It's hard to see.

774
00:59:44,539 --> 00:59:45,207
[Laughter]

775
00:59:46,041 --> 00:59:47,042
Female: Good pitcher.

776
00:59:49,044 --> 00:59:50,295
I can't swing the bat.

777
00:59:50,378 --> 00:59:52,714
My dream is to be on the
variety show Real Yakyu-Ban.

778
00:59:56,718 --> 00:59:57,552
I can't hit it.

779
00:59:59,888 --> 01:00:01,056
I can't hit the right side.

780
01:00:02,891 --> 01:00:04,893
I may be able to
just make contact.

781
01:00:07,395 --> 01:00:08,063
Wow, that's amazing.

782
01:00:09,898 --> 01:00:10,899
That was a good ball.

783
01:00:15,695 --> 01:00:19,407
My hands are going to be wrecked
if I play this every day.

784
01:00:33,922 --> 01:00:39,761
Tomohiro: We have our
glove-masters, those that remake the gloves.

785
01:00:42,264 --> 01:00:47,519
Our platinum level
glove-master is Oki.

786
01:00:47,602 --> 01:00:50,355
As he is a platinum level,

787
01:00:50,397 --> 01:00:56,444
he is able to handle every stage
of a glove repair by himself.

788
01:00:57,779 --> 01:01:01,575
And of course teaching,

789
01:01:01,616 --> 01:01:07,789
he is able to instruct those
with no experience whatsoever.

790
01:01:08,957 --> 01:01:11,960
We made a sort of
education system

791
01:01:12,919 --> 01:01:17,299
where each new staff members'
skills are cultivated.

792
01:01:24,306 --> 01:01:28,602
This one seems a little
small, doesn't it?

793
01:01:28,643 --> 01:01:30,520
If you're a third baseman
like Abe, you can do it.

794
01:01:30,604 --> 01:01:31,313
Yes.

795
01:01:32,480 --> 01:01:33,982
It's a little deep, though.

796
01:01:34,149 --> 01:01:37,819
A difficult customer inquiry.

797
01:01:38,320 --> 01:01:40,488
Oki: Well, I don't
think it's impossible.

798
01:01:41,656 --> 01:01:48,330
It's a little small for a third
baseman, but I think it's fine.

799
01:01:50,665 --> 01:01:56,129
All around Japan, craftsman,
those that repair...

800
01:01:56,171 --> 01:01:59,341
Everybody is getting older.

801
01:02:00,008 --> 01:02:05,013
As we are the next generation...

802
01:02:05,347 --> 01:02:09,851
we inherit those skills
and put them to use.

803
01:02:11,519 --> 01:02:13,480
It would be a great loss if
these skills

804
01:02:13,521 --> 01:02:17,025
that are only here in Japan
would disappear.

805
01:02:17,525 --> 01:02:21,112
We need to pass these skills
onto the next generation.

806
01:02:21,196 --> 01:02:23,531
We need to preserve that.

807
01:02:26,201 --> 01:02:28,036
Female: This is broken.

808
01:02:28,703 --> 01:02:31,206
Customer: I would appreciate it
if you could fix that as well.

809
01:02:32,374 --> 01:02:36,044
Female: Should we leave
this as it is and reinforce it here?

810
01:02:36,211 --> 01:02:37,379
Customer: Yes.

811
01:02:38,546 --> 01:02:41,549
Tomohiro: To make a glove...

812
01:02:41,716 --> 01:02:45,637
it takes tens of years
of experience and practice to get there.

813
01:02:45,679 --> 01:02:51,977
For that glove to then
be used for only 3 years

814
01:02:52,060 --> 01:02:54,729
or 1 to 2 years...

815
01:02:54,896 --> 01:02:58,400
I think that's a complete shame.

816
01:02:59,567 --> 01:03:01,861
I want to keep them alive

817
01:03:01,903 --> 01:03:05,323
so that the next generation
can inherit them.

818
01:03:05,365 --> 01:03:11,079
And from that perhaps something
even better can be born.

819
01:03:12,414 --> 01:03:18,253
[Music]

820
01:03:25,927 --> 01:03:30,390
I was so excited that the
Dodger and the Cubs

821
01:03:30,432 --> 01:03:33,101
were actually coming here.

822
01:03:34,102 --> 01:03:37,105
Around us, our crew
and customers

823
01:03:37,272 --> 01:03:41,943
were also incredibly excited
about the news.

824
01:03:43,778 --> 01:03:44,821
Welcome. Hello.

825
01:03:44,946 --> 01:03:46,906
We■ve been waiting for you.
Please come in.

826
01:03:46,948 --> 01:03:50,243
Customer: I'm here to pick up
the glove that was repaired.

827
01:03:50,285 --> 01:03:51,578
Tomohiro: We've been
waiting for you.

828
01:03:51,619 --> 01:03:54,289
Here you go. Yes.

829
01:03:55,123 --> 01:03:58,460
We have completely
remade the glove.

830
01:03:59,127 --> 01:04:03,256
We replaced the leather
inside with new blue leather

831
01:04:03,298 --> 01:04:07,135
and the original
sheepskin is also black.

832
01:04:08,303 --> 01:04:09,471
Take a look.

833
01:04:13,933 --> 01:04:15,894
Customer: The colors are
amazingly beautiful.

834
01:04:15,977 --> 01:04:17,645
This line is great.

835
01:04:18,480 --> 01:04:22,150
It's like a new glove, so
it feels kind of fresh.

836
01:04:23,151 --> 01:04:25,779
The blue color here
is also amazing.

837
01:04:25,820 --> 01:04:26,696
How is your son doing?

838
01:04:26,863 --> 01:04:28,114
It■s nostalgic, I guess.

839
01:04:28,156 --> 01:04:32,994
Customer: Thirty years ago,
it looked just like this.

840
01:04:34,120 --> 01:04:39,667
It's touching and
wonderful that it will be passed down to my son.

841
01:04:41,169 --> 01:04:43,171
I hope this will
help you do well.

842
01:04:43,338 --> 01:04:45,924
Well, let's give it a try.

843
01:04:46,007 --> 01:04:46,674
Customer: Yes.

844
01:04:46,841 --> 01:04:48,468
Tomohiro: Thank you very much.

845
01:04:48,510 --> 01:04:50,178
We look forward to
seeing you again.

846
01:04:50,845 --> 01:04:52,180
[Music]

847
01:05:54,909 --> 01:05:56,578
[Music]

848
01:06:03,918 --> 01:06:06,588
- There's something
more to baseball...

849
01:06:11,092 --> 01:06:15,263
It's about a sort of closeness.

850
01:06:24,606 --> 01:06:27,775
For example, even those with
no baseball experience...

851
01:06:29,277 --> 01:06:32,447
I've seen people like that at
the center,

852
01:06:32,614 --> 01:06:36,451
laughing and having fun
with their friends.

853
01:06:46,085 --> 01:06:49,464
Playing catch together, or
just playing with the ball.

854
01:06:52,926 --> 01:06:57,639
I see that sort of thing
a lot, how can I put it?

855
01:07:01,100 --> 01:07:05,813
It's not like a baseball match,
it's something more intimate...

856
01:07:06,481 --> 01:07:09,484
a form of play.

857
01:07:16,324 --> 01:07:19,827
That gives birth to a new
kind of way of communicating.

858
01:07:19,994 --> 01:07:21,329
That's what I think it is.

859
01:07:31,506 --> 01:07:33,174
To me, baseball is something

860
01:07:33,299 --> 01:07:39,097
that has allowed me to
make new friends.

861
01:07:39,180 --> 01:07:47,355
[Music]

862
01:07:56,197 --> 01:07:57,949
Interviewer: What do you expect
to experience tomorrow?

863
01:07:57,991 --> 01:08:00,702
Can anything prepare you
for a game like this?

864
01:08:00,827 --> 01:08:03,204
Justin: For me, I just try to
treat it like another game.

865
01:08:03,329 --> 01:08:05,373
You know, it's our job to go
out there and fulfill those

866
01:08:05,498 --> 01:08:08,793
expectations, and especially
doing it against the World

867
01:08:08,876 --> 01:08:10,169
Champs Dodgers.

868
01:08:10,336 --> 01:08:12,380
Jim: Well, let me ask you, what
is it about Japanese baseball

869
01:08:12,547 --> 01:08:15,842
that either puzzled,
or intrigued you,

870
01:08:15,883 --> 01:08:17,302
or made you fall
in love with it?

871
01:08:17,343 --> 01:08:19,137
Fan: You've heard of
it, you hear of it.

872
01:08:19,178 --> 01:08:20,513
I had a lot of friends
that came over here,

873
01:08:20,555 --> 01:08:22,974
and I didn't really understand
how good they were.

874
01:08:23,057 --> 01:08:25,059
You know, when you leave
the Major Leagues,

875
01:08:25,226 --> 01:08:26,811
Major Leagues is the
top place to play.

876
01:08:26,853 --> 01:08:29,230
You come on the other side of
the world and they appreciate

877
01:08:29,397 --> 01:08:30,857
you, they appreciate
what you did over there,

878
01:08:30,898 --> 01:08:33,234
but I appreciate how
they approach the game.

879
01:08:37,030 --> 01:08:39,198
Miguel: We all understand the
tradition and the history

880
01:08:39,240 --> 01:08:40,575
in Tokyo Dome.

881
01:08:40,700 --> 01:08:45,246
I'll take it all in because it's
a one in a life experience.

882
01:09:07,435 --> 01:09:08,603
Dave: Emotions.

883
01:09:10,772 --> 01:09:12,273
Anticipation.

884
01:09:13,608 --> 01:09:14,942
Open day is finally here.

885
01:09:16,277 --> 01:09:16,944
Excitement.

886
01:09:19,280 --> 01:09:21,949
I think the last
handful of days,

887
01:09:22,116 --> 01:09:23,951
you could see how
excited the fans were,

888
01:09:24,118 --> 01:09:25,286
the people in Tokyo were.

889
01:09:25,453 --> 01:09:27,288
Our players are
ready to get going.

890
01:09:29,123 --> 01:09:30,625
[Music]

891
01:09:30,917 --> 01:09:32,627
Announcer: Cubs taking
on the Dodgers.

892
01:09:32,794 --> 01:09:34,796
It's game one of 162.

893
01:09:34,962 --> 01:09:36,631
[Cheering]

894
01:09:38,966 --> 01:09:42,053
Announcer: This is one of those
special days that everybody's

895
01:09:42,136 --> 01:09:44,931
gonna say they had a
ticket to in Japan, right?

896
01:09:44,972 --> 01:09:47,392
Announcer: All of Japan will
say they were at this game.

897
01:09:47,475 --> 01:09:48,810
This is their homecoming.

898
01:09:49,811 --> 01:09:51,229
We have flashing
lights in the seats.

899
01:09:51,270 --> 01:09:54,816
This is the toughest
ticket in the Tokyo Dome

900
01:09:54,982 --> 01:09:56,984
in quite some time.

901
01:09:57,151 --> 01:09:58,820
[Cheering]

902
01:10:00,321 --> 01:10:03,491
Announcer: At this time, we ask
that you please rise if you're

903
01:10:03,658 --> 01:10:06,327
able and kindly
remove your caps.

904
01:10:06,828 --> 01:10:09,414
Jason: Japan has taken
baseball from the US,

905
01:10:09,497 --> 01:10:11,249
and recreated it
in its own image,

906
01:10:11,332 --> 01:10:13,668
and molded it to be Japanese.

907
01:10:18,840 --> 01:10:20,508
[Cheering]

908
01:10:37,859 --> 01:10:38,860
Announcer: Cubs, Dodgers.

909
01:10:39,026 --> 01:10:41,195
Shota Imanaga versus
Shohei Ohtani.

910
01:10:41,362 --> 01:10:45,533
2025 Major League Baseball
season, about to get underway.

911
01:10:46,367 --> 01:10:47,869
[Music & cheering]

912
01:11:04,385 --> 01:11:05,887
[Cheering]

913
01:11:10,057 --> 01:11:13,895
Announcer: Ohtani has the
first Dodgers hit of the year,

914
01:11:14,020 --> 01:11:17,732
and it comes in front
of an adoring nation.

915
01:11:22,528 --> 01:11:25,698
Announcer: An emotional day
for Seiya Suzuki from Arakawa.

916
01:11:25,740 --> 01:11:28,576
21 minute drive from
the Tokyo Dome.

917
01:11:33,247 --> 01:11:34,749
[Cheering]

918
01:11:44,759 --> 01:11:46,761
Announcer: Derrek Lee joins us.

919
01:11:46,928 --> 01:11:49,347
Derrek: Think about Seiya,
and Shota, and Shohei.

920
01:11:49,430 --> 01:11:51,849
It's got to be a really cool
feeling for those guys to get to

921
01:11:51,891 --> 01:11:53,768
come back and put on a show.

922
01:11:54,936 --> 01:11:56,270
[Cheering]

923
01:12:09,450 --> 01:12:11,285
[Cheering]

924
01:12:16,123 --> 01:12:17,583
Announcer: Pretty
special evening.

925
01:12:17,625 --> 01:12:20,795
First time two Japanese-born
pitchers starting against each

926
01:12:20,962 --> 01:12:23,464
other on opening day in Major
League Baseball history.

927
01:12:27,969 --> 01:12:29,470
[Cheering]

928
01:12:31,305 --> 01:12:34,308
Announcer: This is one of those
days that will stick in young

929
01:12:34,475 --> 01:12:36,143
people's minds.

930
01:12:37,144 --> 01:12:38,437
Announcer: Holy smoke!

931
01:12:38,479 --> 01:12:41,315
A laser beam strike from Ichiro!

932
01:12:41,482 --> 01:12:42,775
Sayonara!

933
01:12:42,817 --> 01:12:45,403
Hideki Matsui!

934
01:12:45,486 --> 01:12:48,990
Jason: Shohei Ohtani watched
Hideki Matsui playing in Major

935
01:12:49,156 --> 01:12:50,324
League Baseball
when he was a kid.

936
01:12:50,491 --> 01:12:53,661
And that maybe made him think,
"Oh, I can be there one day. ”

937
01:12:53,828 --> 01:12:55,329
Announcer: The throw gets away.

938
01:12:55,496 --> 01:12:56,831
It's into the camera well.

939
01:12:58,624 --> 01:13:01,669
Jason: There was a kid in the
crowd who saw that and said,

940
01:13:01,836 --> 01:13:03,087
"I want to be there. ”

941
01:13:03,129 --> 01:13:06,007
Just like Otani saw Matsui and
said, "I want to do that. ”

942
01:13:06,173 --> 01:13:08,175
"I can be on that field one day,

943
01:13:08,342 --> 01:13:11,012
so now I want to play baseball
like Shohei Ohtani does. ”

944
01:13:14,015 --> 01:13:15,349
[Cheering]

945
01:13:16,517 --> 01:13:18,185
Announcer: It's a base
hit for Shohei Ohtani.

946
01:13:19,520 --> 01:13:20,980
Shohei trots into second.

947
01:13:21,022 --> 01:13:21,856
It's a double.

948
01:13:23,190 --> 01:13:24,859
[Music]

949
01:13:34,201 --> 01:13:35,202
[Chatter]

950
01:13:55,222 --> 01:13:56,390
Coach: For our team,

951
01:13:56,891 --> 01:14:01,395
I think Osaka is the best
place to develop your strengths and mentality.

952
01:14:06,692 --> 01:14:10,404
Facing up against opponents that
they think they can't beat...

953
01:14:11,238 --> 01:14:13,366
I think it helps the
kids learn and improve

954
01:14:13,407 --> 01:14:14,909
and it's a good experience.

955
01:14:24,585 --> 01:14:26,379
Don't rush your swings.

956
01:14:26,420 --> 01:14:28,339
Just take your time and
make solid contact.

957
01:14:28,422 --> 01:14:29,840
One hit at a time.

958
01:14:29,924 --> 01:14:30,925
Got it?
Players: Yeah.

959
01:14:34,929 --> 01:14:36,764
[Cheering]

960
01:14:37,932 --> 01:14:41,268
[Chatter]

961
01:14:43,938 --> 01:14:47,274
Yasuko: To put it simply,
this is my reason for living.

962
01:14:48,442 --> 01:14:53,614
Children have so much
to learn from us.

963
01:14:54,615 --> 01:14:57,576
I think it's important for
people my age

964
01:14:57,618 --> 01:15:01,622
to teach them all the
things that we've learnt.

965
01:15:05,918 --> 01:15:10,464
Baseball hasn't really changed,
but the children have.

966
01:15:11,966 --> 01:15:15,803
There's new ways that the
younger people think,

967
01:15:15,970 --> 01:15:19,140
so we have to be flexible
with our thinking.

968
01:15:19,306 --> 01:15:23,477
So, it's important to absorb
it all to teach the kids.

969
01:15:27,481 --> 01:15:32,653
[Chatter]

970
01:15:38,993 --> 01:15:41,620
Coach: For them, if we
get a runner on base, it's basically over.

971
01:15:41,662 --> 01:15:43,164
The moment there's a runner
on with no outs,

972
01:15:43,330 --> 01:15:44,457
they're basically bracing
for a run.

973
01:15:44,498 --> 01:15:47,668
So, now they're desperately
trying to hold us down.

974
01:15:47,835 --> 01:15:50,004
They've been just holding out
and holding out this whole time.

975
01:15:50,171 --> 01:15:53,924
But once we break through
and score, it all opens up.

976
01:15:53,966 --> 01:15:57,178
Once the dam breaks, the
water flows out all at once.

977
01:15:57,303 --> 01:16:00,931
They're doing everything
they can to hold it back, so we've got to overpower them.

978
01:16:00,973 --> 01:16:03,267
Break through, and the
water will flood out.

979
01:16:03,350 --> 01:16:04,477
Understand?
Players: Yeah.

980
01:16:04,810 --> 01:16:06,353
Coach: Build a batting lineup
like that, okay? Players: Yeah.

981
01:16:06,479 --> 01:16:08,355
Coach: Alright, go in
with confidence. Believe in yourselves.

982
01:16:10,024 --> 01:16:11,692
[Cheering]

983
01:16:13,527 --> 01:16:16,363
[Chatter]

984
01:16:18,199 --> 01:16:21,702
Meghan: What's always been so
appealing is sports tend to

985
01:16:21,869 --> 01:16:24,038
either be an individual thing,
if you're playing something like

986
01:16:24,205 --> 01:16:28,042
tennis, golf, swimming,
versus team sports,

987
01:16:28,209 --> 01:16:29,502
football, basketball.

988
01:16:29,543 --> 01:16:32,379
And one of the great things
about baseball is you have

989
01:16:32,546 --> 01:16:33,714
both components.

990
01:16:34,006 --> 01:16:36,842
You have the team dynamic, and
then when you're in the batter's

991
01:16:36,884 --> 01:16:38,719
box, it's you
versus the pitcher.

992
01:16:40,221 --> 01:16:41,555
[Music]

993
01:16:56,403 --> 01:17:00,241
And there's so much attention
on the moments where the

994
01:17:00,366 --> 01:17:04,245
individual can impact the
outcome in a way that is just

995
01:17:04,411 --> 01:17:05,746
really unique.

996
01:17:23,055 --> 01:17:28,769
Hironobou: The fact that
Japanese players have reached these heights is amazing I think

997
01:17:31,272 --> 01:17:32,773
Wow, that's amazing.

998
01:17:34,608 --> 01:17:39,613
Coach: I think it is very
important for players here to go to the U.S.

999
01:17:39,780 --> 01:17:43,450
and experience
the MLB in the flesh.

1000
01:17:46,412 --> 01:17:49,123
Even if they don't play
themselves,

1001
01:17:49,248 --> 01:17:53,794
I believe more people will tune
in to watch baseball.

1002
01:17:53,961 --> 01:17:58,966
So I think its become a
great time for baseball.

1003
01:18:08,100 --> 01:18:10,561
Announcer: Roki Sasaki
makes his long-awaited

1004
01:18:10,644 --> 01:18:13,105
Major League Baseball debut.

1005
01:18:13,147 --> 01:18:15,566
Announcer: His homecoming
after pitching in Japan

1006
01:18:15,649 --> 01:18:17,151
as recently as last year.

1007
01:18:22,156 --> 01:18:23,490
[Music]

1008
01:18:27,161 --> 01:18:31,832
Meghan: It was for
Japanese baseball fans.

1009
01:18:39,173 --> 01:18:41,008
It was for the country.

1010
01:18:43,677 --> 01:18:45,012
[Cheering]

1011
01:19:06,033 --> 01:19:08,369
Announcer: Trying to see if
they can catch a glimpse.

1012
01:19:09,370 --> 01:19:12,206
A bright lights moment
for Shohei Ohtani.

1013
01:19:13,874 --> 01:19:16,710
Announcer: Shohei Ohtani!

1014
01:19:16,877 --> 01:19:18,545
[Cheering]

1015
01:19:32,393 --> 01:19:35,187
Jason: Japanese players
can succeed anywhere,

1016
01:19:35,229 --> 01:19:37,022
can succeed in the U.S.

1017
01:19:37,064 --> 01:19:39,233
And I think that brought a lot
of pride to a lot of people

1018
01:19:39,358 --> 01:19:43,153
because it probably gave a lot
of people a lot of confidence,

1019
01:19:43,237 --> 01:19:45,739
even people who
weren't baseball fans.

1020
01:19:46,198 --> 01:19:49,910
It showed them that we can
compete on the world stage.

1021
01:19:50,911 --> 01:19:52,079
Announcer: It seems
like every year now,

1022
01:19:52,246 --> 01:19:54,748
there's a big prospect of a
really talented young player

1023
01:19:54,915 --> 01:19:56,208
coming out of Japan.

1024
01:19:56,250 --> 01:19:58,752
Coach: The thing
about this team is

1025
01:19:58,919 --> 01:20:02,047
it's more than just teaching
baseball techniques,

1026
01:20:02,089 --> 01:20:03,924
it's about using baseball
as a tool

1027
01:20:04,091 --> 01:20:06,760
to help these kids grow
as people.

1028
01:20:06,927 --> 01:20:10,264
[Music]

1029
01:20:10,764 --> 01:20:12,182
[Cheering]

1030
01:20:12,224 --> 01:20:14,101
Announcer: Muncy rips one
down the right field line.

1031
01:20:14,268 --> 01:20:15,561
Smith is on his way to third.

1032
01:20:15,602 --> 01:20:17,604
Into second base goes Muncy.

1033
01:20:21,275 --> 01:20:24,445
3-1 delivery, and Happ
swings and misses.

1034
01:20:30,451 --> 01:20:32,036
Jason: It's a rare chance
after the guy leaves

1035
01:20:32,119 --> 01:20:35,122
to see him come back
as an MVP star.

1036
01:20:35,789 --> 01:20:39,084
For a lot of people, that
is a chance to show their

1037
01:20:39,126 --> 01:20:41,712
appreciation, show their pride,
and just be happy that the

1038
01:20:41,795 --> 01:20:43,130
players come back.

1039
01:20:44,131 --> 01:20:45,632
[Music]

1040
01:20:50,804 --> 01:20:54,308
Coach: All of these
kids on this team,

1041
01:20:54,475 --> 01:20:59,480
they'll become adults, work
and become part of society.

1042
01:20:59,980 --> 01:21:01,774
Announcer: And sent it the
other way, towards left center.

1043
01:21:01,815 --> 01:21:04,318
That is going to score
another run for the Cubs.

1044
01:21:04,485 --> 01:21:06,820
Kelly comes across, and
it's a 5-2 ballgame.

1045
01:21:09,114 --> 01:21:12,785
Coach: Eventually they'll
have their own family and their own kids.

1046
01:21:12,826 --> 01:21:16,663
And then raise those kids, it's
that cycle over and over again.

1047
01:21:17,998 --> 01:21:20,000
Announcer: He cracks a
fastball deep to the field.

1048
01:21:20,167 --> 01:21:22,753
In a relay, it is in time.

1049
01:21:22,836 --> 01:21:26,173
Almost breathlessly
awaiting for Shohei Ohtani.

1050
01:21:26,965 --> 01:21:33,013
Coach: So for that, using
baseball as a sport to prepare them for all of that.

1051
01:21:33,806 --> 01:21:38,352
We help them grow their heart
essentially, that's the whole point of this team.

1052
01:21:38,477 --> 01:21:39,978
Announcer: You know he
wants to do something big

1053
01:21:40,020 --> 01:21:41,313
in front of these fans.

1054
01:21:41,355 --> 01:21:44,316
A 2-2 pitch, and
he sends it deep.

1055
01:21:44,358 --> 01:21:45,818
[Cheering]

1056
01:21:45,859 --> 01:21:48,529
Towards left center field,
back at the wall...

1057
01:21:57,871 --> 01:21:58,831
It is a home run.

1058
01:21:58,872 --> 01:22:01,041
It is the first for Ohtani.

1059
01:22:09,216 --> 01:22:12,219
Announcer: Back to the broadcast
booth, back to the booth.

1060
01:22:12,344 --> 01:22:15,180
And to all baseball fans
across the country,

1061
01:22:15,222 --> 01:22:17,474
here is Shohei Ohtani.

1062
01:22:17,558 --> 01:22:19,059
[Cheering]

1063
01:22:21,895 --> 01:22:24,314
How do you feel
hearing this applause?

1064
01:22:24,356 --> 01:22:28,902
Shohei: I'm really happy we won,
and honestly just relieved I was able to get a hit.

1065
01:22:32,072 --> 01:22:35,033
Announcer: All eyes were on
you coming into this Tokyo Series,

1066
01:22:35,075 --> 01:22:36,410
with big expectations.

1067
01:22:36,577 --> 01:22:39,204
Including yourself, your team
hit three home runs today.

1068
01:22:39,246 --> 01:22:40,914
You lit up the Dome.
How did that feel?

1069
01:22:41,081 --> 01:22:43,876
Shohei: We didn't hit
any home runs yesterday.

1070
01:22:43,917 --> 01:22:48,005
So getting those powerful,
Major-League-style home runs today,

1071
01:22:48,046 --> 01:22:50,924
It felt like a great game.
I think it was amazing to watch, too.

1072
01:22:52,718 --> 01:22:55,012
Announcer: Alright,
Ohtani-san...

1073
01:22:55,095 --> 01:22:57,764
Could we get a final message
to your fans here in Japan?

1074
01:22:57,890 --> 01:23:00,100
Shohei: This has truly
been a great memory.

1075
01:23:00,225 --> 01:23:04,730
And I'd love it if I
could play games like this again here someday.

1076
01:23:04,771 --> 01:23:06,857
Please continue to support
me this year as well.

1077
01:23:06,940 --> 01:23:08,275
[Cheering]

1078
01:23:09,776 --> 01:23:12,571
Announcer: Thank you,
we're really looking forward to your season.

1079
01:23:12,613 --> 01:23:13,947
That was Shohei Ohtani.

1080
01:23:16,283 --> 01:23:20,120
We got a hero interview
with Shohei Ohtani.

1081
01:23:20,746 --> 01:23:24,458
Today's broadcasters are Hiroki
Kuroda and Hirokazu Ibata.

1082
01:23:27,586 --> 01:23:32,966
[Children playing & chatter]

1083
01:23:49,316 --> 01:23:51,818
Coach: When I start saying,
"That's no good. ”

1084
01:23:51,944 --> 01:23:55,822
The kids think, "Uh-oh,
today's gonna be rough. ”

1085
01:23:55,948 --> 01:24:00,786
So, saying stuff like
"Don't do this ” or "Don't do that ” just doesn't work.

1086
01:24:00,827 --> 01:24:04,164
Male: It doesn't?
Coach: I'll say it again:

1087
01:24:04,289 --> 01:24:08,835
Saying things like "Don't
do this ” or "Don't do that ” is actually not good.

1088
01:24:09,670 --> 01:24:10,337
That got a laugh.

1089
01:24:10,671 --> 01:24:13,507
So, I figured I'd
repeat it once more.

1090
01:24:13,632 --> 01:24:16,593
Female: No but seriously,
they need to think.

1091
01:24:16,677 --> 01:24:17,970
That's the problem.

1092
01:24:18,011 --> 01:24:19,972
Thinking is everything
in baseball.

1093
01:24:20,013 --> 01:24:22,474
You can't just swing
without a plan.

1094
01:24:22,516 --> 01:24:24,434
Female: Right? It's
all about perception.

1095
01:24:24,518 --> 01:24:25,519
Male: Exactly.

1096
01:24:25,978 --> 01:24:28,272
Female:
The mindset of each player in those moments.

1097
01:24:28,313 --> 01:24:34,361
Coach: Sure, baseball
needs technical skill, but it's mostly a mental game.

1098
01:24:34,528 --> 01:24:39,157
The real question is how the
players' mindset evolves.

1099
01:24:39,199 --> 01:24:44,371
So, we need to say things that
help shift

1100
01:24:44,538 --> 01:24:49,668
their mindset toward
attacking, toward scoring.

1101
01:24:50,168 --> 01:24:52,546
Yasuko: You've got to
think about everything you do

1102
01:24:52,713 --> 01:24:54,840
but they don't,
and that's frustrating.

1103
01:24:54,881 --> 01:24:58,218
Coach: We even created
tournaments where kids

1104
01:24:58,343 --> 01:25:01,722
who don't usually get to
play can take the field.

1105
01:25:02,389 --> 01:25:08,729
We want even the least skilled
kid in the grade to feel like,

1106
01:25:08,895 --> 01:25:12,733
"Hey, I got better ”
when they graduate.

1107
01:25:13,859 --> 01:25:19,406
Right. So, they feel
like they want to try again in middle school.

1108
01:25:20,073 --> 01:25:21,074
That's the most important thing.

1109
01:25:21,908 --> 01:25:25,245
If we forget that, just to
get stronger, then we become just another strong team,

1110
01:25:25,412 --> 01:25:27,748
and that's boring.

1111
01:25:29,750 --> 01:25:31,877
It's all about personal growth.

1112
01:25:31,918 --> 01:25:35,339
We want to raise kids who are
considerate,

1113
01:25:35,422 --> 01:25:40,927
who can understand others'
feelings and we use baseball to teach that.

1114
01:25:42,220 --> 01:25:46,099
If we can create a space where
everyone feels satisfied,

1115
01:25:46,224 --> 01:25:49,936
and then make it to Nationals...
That would be amazing.

1116
01:25:50,270 --> 01:25:52,939
[Chatter]

1117
01:25:55,442 --> 01:25:59,780
Ochaban's policy was for
kids to be able to do everything on their own.

1118
01:25:59,946 --> 01:26:03,617
It's something I have
learnt and want to instill in my children too.

1119
01:26:05,577 --> 01:26:08,789
She's quite old so I
don't know how much longer she will continue.

1120
01:26:09,790 --> 01:26:14,294
So, with that, us, the
next generation...

1121
01:26:14,419 --> 01:26:18,298
We need to look at the
next generation

1122
01:26:19,257 --> 01:26:23,470
and keep the things that
she taught us alive.

1123
01:26:25,472 --> 01:26:32,479
[Music]

1124
01:26:40,654 --> 01:26:43,824
Meghan: When you get exposed to
culture that's not around you

1125
01:26:43,990 --> 01:26:47,494
every day, it's, I think,
just really eye-opening that

1126
01:26:47,619 --> 01:26:52,124
something like baseball, where
people from different cultures

1127
01:26:52,165 --> 01:26:56,461
can enjoy it in different
ways, but still have that

1128
01:26:56,503 --> 01:26:57,671
same love for it.

1129
01:27:01,174 --> 01:27:03,969
Jason: The game and its
relationship with this country

1130
01:27:04,010 --> 01:27:07,347
is a way to give the
nation a lot of confidence

1131
01:27:07,514 --> 01:27:08,682
on a global scale.

1132
01:27:12,853 --> 01:27:13,854
Hironobou: Within Japan,

1133
01:27:14,020 --> 01:27:19,526
its really come to be
viewed as a special sport,

1134
01:27:20,360 --> 01:27:26,867
I really fell that the barriers
have been broken down.

1135
01:27:28,034 --> 01:27:32,205
[Music]

1136
01:27:41,715 --> 01:27:44,301
Jason: Leaving Japan and going
and conquering the major

1137
01:27:44,384 --> 01:27:46,970
leagues, I think bittersweet
is a good word for it.

1138
01:27:47,012 --> 01:27:48,472
You've done all
you can do for us.

1139
01:27:48,513 --> 01:27:51,975
Now it's time for you to
do what you want to do,

1140
01:27:52,058 --> 01:27:53,059
achieve your dreams.

1141
01:27:57,063 --> 01:27:59,858
Kanato: I want to become a
professional baseball player,

1142
01:27:59,900 --> 01:28:05,071
become the home run king,
and then go on to the majors

1143
01:28:05,238 --> 01:28:10,410
and become a player who
can surpass Shohei Ohtani.

1144
01:28:14,873 --> 01:28:21,087
Tomohiro: It feels like
chances for children to pick up baseball are increasing.

1145
01:28:23,757 --> 01:28:27,427
I think that we're helping to
build

1146
01:28:27,594 --> 01:28:30,764
and connect a new future.

1147
01:28:33,099 --> 01:28:34,768
An even more promising future...

1148
01:28:34,893 --> 01:28:38,438
is awaiting Japanese
baseball, I believe.

1149
01:28:39,940 --> 01:28:42,108
Players: Thank you very much.

1150
01:28:51,618 --> 01:28:58,458
[Music]