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What a great way to start the season for our team. We had a 6 game homestand and went 5-1. We showed great fight as we came from behind with 3 “Sayonara” wins. In the other two wins two young pitchers threw complete games. We almost pulled out the 6th and final game but we lost 5-4 to Chiba. We brought the winning run to home plate with 2 outs in the 9th but it wasn’t meant to be, I thought for sure we were going to do it again. The loss guarantees us that we won’t go undefeated this season, but we were bound to lose one sooner or later. I’m proud of our team, with all the injuries and question marks surrounding us to start the season we have gotten off to a nice start. The easy thing to do is quit when the odds are against you or when you are losing late in the game but our team has so far refused to do that. I like what I saw this week. At full strength we will be a force in the Pacific League. An off day and then we are off to Saitama to play the Lions. I’ve always believed that a good short term goal is to try and win each series. We go to Saitama for 3 games, the goal is to win at least 2. If we do that all season we would be assured of first place. So far we have won our first two series, we need to keep going, there is a very long way to go.
The season has gotten off to an exciting start for the Hawks. We won on Opening Day in dramatic fashion as Shibahara hit a 3 run walk off homerun as we beat the Eagles 4-3. It was a great opening game, the team and the fans were really excited. The next day proved to be just as exciting. Down 4-3 in the 9th inning we rallied to score a run to tie the game and eventually we won it in the 11th inning when Honma singled home the winning run. Two “Sayonara” wins is a row is sure to give any Hawks’ fan a heart attack. I got to pitch my first game of the season in game 2 and much to my surprise I pitched 3 innings. This old time hasn’t thrown 3 innings in a couple of years. I was glad I was able to perform well and get a win in my first game. Honma and I were chosen as “heroes of the game”, also a first for me. It is an interesting thing they do here in Japan. The hero interview consists of you answering questions in front of the fans and then taking a partial victory lap around the stadium while you throw baseballs you signed and a couple of mascot dolls into the stands. Then you jog down the wall on either the 1st or 3rd base line and give the fans high fives. It is a really unique ceremony. I have to admit I was a little disappointed in myself. I have picked up a decent amount of Japanese but was unprepared to give a message to fans in Japanese. I promise to be ready next time! Hopefully, there will be a next time. To finish out our opening series against the Eagles the “Golden Rookie” Ohba got the call as our starter. I always tell rookies you only get one chance to make your major league debut. Well Ohba really made the most of his debut, he threw a complete game shutout, pretty amazing, and we won 4-0. Another rookie, Kume, who is a relief pitcher, got the win on Opening Day. I think our scouts have to be proud of who we signed in last year’s draft. So far our young rookie pitchers have made a nice contribution to the team. There is still a very long way to go, but it’s always nice to start the season off right.
Spring camp is now over. As I am writing this we are traveling by bus to the Tokyo airport where we will board our plane to Fukuoka. In four days from now we’ll begin on our season against the Rakuten Eagles at the Yahoo! Dome. The final road trip was a grind. The travel was difficult but we pulled through it and I managed to finish my camp well. It is so different being back this year. So many less surprises and this camp felt like business as usual for me. I could really focus on just pitching this camp. There weren’t nearly as many new things to take in this year. I am hoping that translates into a better season for me than last season. My goal this spring was to earn the confidence of my manager. I think I accomplished that. Things change so quickly around here but I felt it was important for me to do well this spring and show that I have made the improvements they wanted me to make. I want the team to trust me not only against left handed hitters but also against right handed hitters, especially in close games. I was able to have a good spring against both lefty and right hitters and I believe that will get me the opportunities I am looking for this season. Players always want to be an important part of the team and I am no different. Camp is over and now we wipe the slate clean. It’s time to get off to a good start and solidify my role on this team. Camp finished with a few surprises, most of which involved injuries. We will be missing a few players to start the season and because of that other players will be asked to fill the holes left by the players not able to start the season with us. Situations like this present opportunity. We’ll have players playing some very important positions in the field and taking on important innings in our bullpen that may otherwise have not been starting for the Hawks this season. It will be important for those guys, including myself, to step up and meet this new challenge. We expect to win a championship this season and in order for us to do that we’ll need to start the season off well. We’ll need the players filling the new roles to be ready to contribute to the team right away. It makes for a huge challenge for the Hawks not having players like Kokubo, Kazumi Saitoh and Ohmura to start the season, but we’ll find a way to win.
![MCj04348690000[1].png - 45384 Bytes](http://www.cjbaseball.com/graphics/MCj04348690000[1].png)  Something that really lacks in a Japanese clubhouse, at least in my experience here, is any kind of relaxing atmosphere. Things can get pretty tense over the course of a 6 month season, especially under the scrutiny that comes along with playing in Japan. The clubhouse serves as both our office and a place to unwind. I don’t think the Japanese see it that way and therefore the clubhouses are generally not as relaxing as they are in MLB. The foreigners have done their part to change that a little bit. Starting this season we have added a dart board to our clubhouse, right by the foreigners’ lockers, also known as “Gaijin Dori” or “Foreigner Street.” What we have noticed already is that the guys are really enjoying it. It has become a way to unwind and relax but also a place where teammates came come together and have a little fun.
Last season the Nippon Ham Fighters got off to a terrible start. Their then manager Trey Hillman (now managing the Kansas City Royals) noticed his team was tense and unable to relax and they weren't enjoying playing baseball. He came up with the idea of adding a ping pong table in his clubhouse. The players responded well. A little friendly competition between teammates never hurts. The Fighters were well out of first place at the time but eventually went on to win the Pacific League despite having one of the weakest offenses in Japan. They played great as a team and always seemed to be having fun, winning can do that to a team. Now does a ping pong table or a dart board guarantee winning? No they do not, but I can tell you I already see a more relaxed and closer team in Fukuoka and I believe it will only benefit us in the long term this season. Nicochan no tanjobi! Sunday I will turn 35. Ogeechan desu.
I’ll probably say this often this season but having already experienced a year in Japan is making getting comfortable this season a lot easier. After returning to Fukuoka I have spent the past few days getting settled into a new apartment. I am in a new place this year and the transition has gone smoothly. I asked the team to put me in a new location this season and they were kind enough to oblige. My apartment was is a very loud area last season and I didn’t sleep well at all when we were home. That probably contributed to me pitching better on the road last season than at home. Those statistics really didn’t make sense since we have such a pitcher friendly ballpark. One of the nice things about playing in Japan for a foreign player is that the team takes care of your apartment for you. So living expenses for the foreign player are much lower than if we were playing in the States. I really like my new place, except for the fact that I am the only one in it right now. My family will not arrive for a while as my children will stay in their American school for a little while longer before they come here and enroll in International School. The highlight of my apartment is the dishwasher, from what I understand a rarity in Japan, and I am the only foreign player to have one. The other guys are real jealous. And since my wife is not here it is a great commodity for me. Exhibition games are underway. I have pitched twice so far and things have gone well for me. I feel really good this season and have set high expectations upon myself. One thing that is really different from playing here than in the US is that no matter how much you expect of yourself the team will always expect more. They use the word “perfect” a lot and actually mean it literally. Although I have never met a perfect pitcher who had a perfect season I believe Japanese coaches think it could or should happen. That is just another one of those things that used to puzzle me but since this is my second season I’ve learned to just nod my head yes and say “OK” or “mondai nai” (no problem).
The return to Miyazaki was a quick one. A year ago I said I wanted to return to Hawks just so I could come to the onsen at the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort. I was happy I got the chance to do it again and it is over already. Camp went well. I am very pleased with the adjustments I made from last season. Things I needed to work on have gotten better and I am confident I am moving in the right direction for a successful 2008 season. It wouldn’t be spring camp without at least one balk for me and that is exactly what I did. I really disagreed with the umpire’s call, which of course fell upon deaf ears. You can see the video here and let me know what you think. So now we head back to Fukuoka on Sunday. It is so different knowing what to expect when we get there. Having been through this before does not make it any less exciting. I enjoy the city of Fukuoka very much and I am looking forward to getting into my apartment, getting unpacked and getting settled in for what I hope to be a great baseball season. When I look back at spring camp 2008 one thing will really stick out in my mind. That is how many pitches some of our young pitchers threw in camp. The numbers are astonishing to an American. Ohba, our number 1 draft pick from last season threw an incredible 395 pitches off the mound over three consecutive days. For the entire spring he threw 1469 pitches in 21 days. That is an average of 139 pitches every other day. Amazing. Those numbers may not mean much to you but in comparison I threw 525 pitches in those same 21 days. That’s an average of 50 pitchers every other day. Your argument may be that is because I am a reliever, and that would be a good argument. Rick Guttormson, one of our American starting pitchers threw 447 pitches in that same time span of 21 days, for an average of 43 every other day. I talked to Ohba about these numbers and asked a very simple question. “Do you want to pitch for 5 years or 15 years?” He said he wants to pitch for 20 years to which I replied “great, then you better slow down.” He is a good kid with a bright future and one worth watching. I’ve taken a liking to his youthful energy and spirit.
I really miss this guy... 
I am elated and proud to share the news with you that my family has grown by one. Earlier this morning my wife gave birth to our third child, a son, in America. His name has not been finalized yet but I can tell you he was 21 inches long and weighed 7 lbs. 15 ounces. My wife did great and she is feeling great. She is a special woman to go through this labor with her husband so far way. I am having internal conflict with my decision to stay in spring training and not be home with my family. I am sad to be away from my family during this special time. My wife actually went into labor a couple of hours before I had to take the mound in our inter squad game. I can tell you my mind was not completely focused on the game while I was pitching knowing she was in a hospital ready to give birth at any moment. I called in between the two innings that I pitched but she did not deliver until well after the game. This is such a unique and challenging time for me. I am so excited to have added another child to our family. I am sad because I am not exactly sure when I will meet him for the first time. Hopefully it will be sometime in March assuming it is OK for the baby to fly at that time. The finalists for the name choices are Luke, Michael and Nicholas, with Luke looking like the favorite.
One of things that has always intimidated American pitchers about coming over to Japan were the rumors of how much cardiovascular training the Japanese players do. It is true that the natives run a lot and also do a lot of agility work. The Hawks are smart in the sense that they let their foreign players go at a pace that they are used to and we very much appreciate that. This season the Hawks have hired an Olympic track and field coach. In an effort to get us faster this season the Hawks turned to a speed pro. I turn 35 in March and although I enjoy a good workout I wasn’t too thrilled when I heard this news. I understand what it is to work hard and prepare for a full baseball season, this is my 15th year and I know what I need to do. I had some concerns that this new coach would bring a tough, demanding running regime my body wasn’t ready for. My concerns were warranted and the running program in Hawks camp has gone to what the foreigners would consider absurd levels. I and the other foreigners were once again very appreciative for the “go at your own pace” invitation. The workouts are actually very intriguing. I think everyone can always work on running technique and ways to get faster and more agile. For me though the timing isn’t quite right. These workouts would better suit me in November and December when I am usually working my hardest in regard to my cardiovascular training. At that time of year I am working my body to exhaustion in preparation for another season. In spring camp I am not only running but doing the most important thing I do, pitching, and I don’t want to sacrifice any energy levels to do what is most important. If I run too much my pitching practice may suffer because I am fatigued. One thing I have learned in the past that has been reiterated in this camp is the difference in thinking between East and West. In the States we are taught to train smart, quality over quantity. You can get an incredible amount of work done in a little amount of time if you are training correctly and efficiently. In Japan the thinking is ‘more is better.’ The players here put in incredible hours at the field working on various things. I am impressed by the dedication to their careers. But I have to admit I believe some of it is counterproductive. I guess it’s just a difference in cultures. For the Japanese it is all most of them have ever known and they don’t think twice about the things they put their bodies through. Although it’s not for me there is something admirable about it.
4 AM in Japan and the jet lag is not getting any better. I thought for sure this would have been over quickly. I actually got a great night’s sleep my first night here. I fell asleep at midnight and woke up at 7AM. Since then it is getting progressively worse. Last night I could not keep my eyes open past 8PM and woke up at 2:45AM. Nearly 7 hours of sleep is enough for me, but the timing is all wrong. The only good thing about being up in the middle of the night is that it is a great time to make phone calls to the US. 4AM in Japan is 2PM on the East Coast at this time of year. Camp has gone well so far. It’s amazing the difference a year makes. Last year I was so wide eyed, absorbing everything Japan and Japanese baseball have to offer. So far this spring camp has been more routine and I am just trying to take care of business and get ready for the season. I love being back in Miyazaki though, it is very nice here. The team has hired an Olympic caliber sprinting coach to help train us this spring. That has been interesting. The workouts are long, very long and a little bit much for me as a soon to be 35 year old pitcher. I like what we do I am just not sure if the timing is right. The program would be great in November and December, I could see its benefits then. Doing a lot of new exercises as I am also trying to prepare to pitch for this season is something I am very cautious of. Mr. Oh has told us to take it at our own pace and that is something I will certainly do. It is something he hopes the team will see the benefit of deep into the season. Last year we fell a little flat in August and September, costing us the Pacific League Championship we desired.
It is great to be back in Japan. Despite a 23 hour itinerary the trip to Fukuoka was pretty good. I met Jason Standridge and Michael Restovich (atarashii gaijin) in Chicago and the three of us took the 13 hour trip to Tokyo together. The Hawks take great care of us and our families in regard to travel and the trip went very well. Two of our translators met us in Tokyo along with the 4th foreign player, Rick Guttormson, and after a couple of hours for a layover we flew to Fukuoka. I felt like I was just here yesterday and the other returning foreigners agreed. This was the shortest off season of my career and now that I am here it seemed to go amazingly fast. Today we went to the Yahoo! Dome to meet the rest of the team. It was great to see some of my old teammates. I was unsure if the Hawks were going to sign me back for 2008, once I saw all of my teammates I was really glad they did. Playing here with these guys was such a great experience for me and reconnecting with them for another season will be equally exciting. I am fighting the jet lag right now, hoping to stay awake until at least 9:00 PM. Tomorrow we fly to Miyazaki where we will train for 3+ weeks prior to exhibition games starting. This is always the time of year where optimism is high. It is very exciting to think about what the new season will bring. The Hawks expect a championship and nothing less. It’s nice to have those kinds of realistic expectations. Achieving that goal starts on February 1st, our first day of full workouts. You can be assured I’ll be working hard during the day and taking full advantage of the onsen at night. .
Meri Kurisumasu! (Merry Christmas). I am excited to announce the news that I will return to the Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks in 2008. I was unsure if the team wanted me back but I was pleased to learn that they did. I will assuredly be updating the web site again and sharing my experiences as a Japanese baseball veteran. I hope to add more videos than last season. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year's Eve and I'll check in again during spring training which starts February 1st.
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