Bobby Valentine makes pitch to save Japanese baseball in new documentary

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USB at 08:47 PM JST - 5th June

'baseball lasts too long'

then stay at home and play Wii sports.

It's the only major sport without a clock and that is one of the things that make it beautiful
Beelzebub at 08:50 PM JST - 5th June

If a Japanese player (like Ichiro or Matsui) feels he's taken the game as far as he can go, and wants to seek new horizons, I can't see any harm in their playing in the U.S. Their presence has also helped build new bridges. It's a good thing. But it seems to be the biggest beneficiary is NHK, which seems to have a stranglehold on live broadcasts of the games.
ca1ic0cat at 08:51 PM JST - 5th June

yeah, you have to understand baseball to really appriciate it and you have to have a different perspective on what is "action."

Of course they say that soccer is why the Europeans haven't had a war in the last 60 years, so there may be some good in "fast action" sports.

But the principle of moving to the best paying job is understood by everybody. If Matsue can tolerate the NY fans he deserves the paycheck!
easychord2 at 09:58 PM JST - 5th June

"and they should add cheerleaders and fights in the stands"

Hey this is Japan, not Philly.
GenkiDesuKa at 11:27 PM JST - 5th June

and they should add cheerleaders and fights in the stands

I guess you have never been to a Hanshin Tigers game...
1GiantStudMuffi at 06:28 AM JST - 6th June

i like baseball
conqueror_of_Uranus at 06:25 PM JST - 6th June

baseball lasts too long'

then stay at home and play Wii sports.

It's the only major sport without a clock and that is one of the things that make it beautiful

There was actualy talk of whether a "shot clock" should be added to baseball, for the purpose of making it easier to program TV scheduling.

Once the batter has stepped in to the box, a 20sec clock starts. The pitcher must throw before 20 secs, or is given a "ball". If the batter steps out of the box he is given a "strike" regardless of whether the pitcher threw or not.
Nessie at 06:31 PM JST - 6th June

There was actualy talk of whether a "shot clock" should be added to baseball, for the purpose of making

No need for a shot clock. Just a need for a shot every inning to while away the hours.
yabits at 11:21 PM JST - 6th June

It's the only major sport without a clock and that is one of the things that make it beautiful.

Another is the distance between the bases.

Does anyone happen to know the exact distance between home and first base in Japanese professional baseball and is it based upon 90 feet?
tomico at 09:55 AM JST - 7th June

I was wondering when Japan Today would cover this. I really enjoyed watching this here in the States on ESPN2. However, I feel the last 15 minutes was or seemed to be rushed or they were trying to cram for the time allowed. I think this documentary could have went for another half hour or just another hour in general. Still, I found this film very entertaining and insightful about Bobby V, the Chiba Lotte Marines, and Japanese Baseball in general. With 500 hours worth of footage why not a few sequels. I will keep my eye out for DVD release.

I respect Bobby Valentine for what he did with and for the New York Mets at the time when he was manager of the team. I say that, cause, well am a Met fan and still am. Too bad in not winning the World Series for the Mets but it was a fine performance I thought none the less for what he brought to the table.

Thanks to him I became a Chiba Lotte Marines fan when he went back to them in 2004. It was great to hear him and the Chiba Lotte Marines win the Japan Series and the Konami Cup in 2005. I know the Marines are in a slump, I hope they can turn it around soon. I wish Bobby Valentine and the Chiba Lotte Marines continued success. GO MARINES!
taiko666 at 10:39 AM JST - 7th June

It's the only major sport without a clock

Cricket, tennis, golf? ... ok but I understand your point.

Went to my first ever baseball match last night (Tigers at the Tokyo Dome.) Great atmosphere (the Chiba fans were raucous), enjoyable occasion... but the most static sport I've ever seen. Rounders is definitely more fun to play than watch.
Surge1979 at 02:56 PM JST - 7th June

When does this guy's contract expire? I want him out of Japan!
tomico at 12:27 AM JST - 8th June

When does this guy's contract expire? I want him out of Japan!

I hate to burst your bubble:

When is your contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines up? I have a great situation with my owner. He’s talked about a lifetime contract. On the other hand, we’ve never discussed whose lifetime.

Taken from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/magazine/04wwln-Q4-t.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin
gogogo at 01:27 AM JST - 11th June

Baseball is run like a business in Japan, most of the money goes to the wrong people.
spudman at 04:59 AM JST - 11th June

and the money from MLB goes to who?