February 17^th, 2012, 7:05 PM
Neptune Beach, Florida

Tonight was the moment everyone in the Jacksonville area was waiting for.  Here at Neptune Beach, all eyes were fixated on the open-air auditorium.  Here in this auditorium, the Florida Featherheads prepare for a historic press conference that signifies an altering change to the franchise.

The evening ambiance was filled with a certain buzz.  All sorts of people were in attendance for this historic night.  The anxious spectators included season ticket holders, team officials and the media – including both the local and international variety.  In the center of it all was Drew Streets, Kevin Lewis, Keitaro Kodo and a translator.  All four men, who were dressed in classic black suits, sat behind an elongated press conference table.  Each of them had smiles that beamed with jubilation.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” Streets declared happily.  “As you may have noticed, we are doing this a little bit unconventionally.  The man beside me is no ordinary man and deserves a special press conference.  So here we are at Neptune Beach under the stars and moonlight.  We are proud to share this special moment with our wonderful fans and the media.”

The Florida owner paused for a moment to take a sip from his signature piña colada.  While sipping, Streets reached out onto the press conference table and grabbed a deck of cards that were conveniently placed in front of him.  He began to shuffle the deck arrogantly like a professional blackjack dealer.

“As I was saying,” Streets continued while shuffling his cards, “this is a momentous night for all of us!  I remember nearly three-and-a-half years ago when I asked the world one simple question…”

Streets paused briefly for emphasis.  Before he continued his statement, the charismatic Florida owner magically pulled out four aces from the deck and prominently showed them to the focused crowd.

“I asked the world if they were ready,” Streets exclaimed boldly.  “I promised the world that I was here to change the culture of the Featherheads and baseball itself.  This would be a new brand of baseball!

“I was – and still am – here to revolutionize baseball.  Before I took over the Featherheads, this team was like a glass bottle floating randomly along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.  Things are different now.  Florida is here to set an example – not just in the baseball world, but for all aspects of life!”

Streets once again paused for effect.  He slowly sipped his drink while letting the crowd digest his monologue.

“We are David!  We are the mom-and-pop stores you see around the street corner!  We are those YouTube people who strive to make it big!  We are the common people!

“When I took over the Featherheads, we were just a mediocre team, but through hard work and our own talents, we have grown into a respectable franchise.  We are proud of this fact and continue to strive at being a first-class organization.  This is why I am so happy and honored to be a part of tonight’s festivities.  Tonight marks a turning point for the franchise.  It is a milestone for us; it symbolizes the progression of our organization.  Tonight is an introduction and celebration of welcoming a prominent figure into our organization.  His arrival is proof that we have climbed the first of many mountains.

“So without further adieu, I would like to formally introduce to you Mr. Keitaro Kodo!”

Kodo’s name instantly generated a large ovation and flashing of light bulbs.  The camera flashes illuminated the evening sky like a flock of dancing fireflies.  Like a celebrity, Kodo stood up and graciously bowed to the crowd.  Chants of, “Kodo, Kodo, Kodo!” sprouted throughout the crowd.

“I’ll let Kevin take it from here,” Streets commented while motioning towards the Florida General Manager.

“Thank you, Drew,” Lewis replied.  “As Drew has mentioned, we are proud to welcome Keitaro into our organization.  He is a first-class pitcher and person.  This signing is important in that it marks an important step for the franchise.  A couple seasons ago, we were a franchise that could not afford to keep Richardson.  Now we’re a team that could go out and acquire a player like Kodo.  This signing is a statement for the franchise.  It tells everyone here that Florida is serious about winning and we will do so at all costs.

“As the old adage goes, you can never have enough pitching,” Lewis admitted.  “Kodo brings with him an impressive résumé.  Pablo and I really took notice of Kodo after his amazing playoff performance with Edo this past season.  Kodo is a bulldog on the baseball mound and a well-respected leader.  His addition greatly increases our chances of repeating.

“Now, we would like to open the floor for some questions,” Lewis announced.

Immediately, hands shot up throughout the tense crowd.  With more options to choose from than a buffet table, Lewis randomly pointed to a reporter in the back.

“Out of all the LRS players posted, why did you choose to target Kodo?” the reporter from the back row questioned.

“Kodo was a player that immediately caught our eye,” Lewis explained with a smile.  “He stood out to us.  He has been a model of consistency and a proven winner.  How can you go wrong with a former Sawamura Award winner?  We love the mental toughness that he adds to our team.  It is an aspect we value greatly especially given the fact of how young our team is.”

Lewis continued to field questions from the crowd.  He pointed to the Japanese reporter to the left of him.  The translator relayed the question to Lewis.  “Florida has been a team known for its Japanese ties.  Is there a reason behind this?  Coincidence?”

“I think it’s a combination of things,” Lewis contemplated while staring off into the distance.  His eyes focus on the night skies as he pondered the question.

“We strive to field the best 25 players, regardless of ethnicity,” he added.  “It just so happens that several of our top ballplayers are Japanese.  In a way, this creates a snowball effect, too.  Known for our strong Japanese ties, we are a very attractive franchise for Japanese players to play for.

“Now, let’s give Mr. Kodo a chance to field some questions,” Lewis declared proudly.  Kodo nodded in response.

“Kodo, what made you decide to agree to sign with the Florida Featherheads?” a BNN reporter directed his question towards the translator.

Interpreting Kodo’s reply, the translator responded, “It just felt right.  It was time to move on.  Life is about conquering challenges.  Playing in a different league and country will be a new experience for me.”

“Have you gotten the chance to talk to any of your new teammates yet?” another reporter inquired.

“I exchanged a few words with Miyata and Hayashi,” replied the translator.  “Both have made me felt at home.  I look forward to meeting the rest of my teammates.”

An internet blogger from the front row questioned, “What do you think will be the most difficult transition going from the LRS to the PEBA?”

“I think the most difficult aspect will be off the field,” the translator explained.  “There will definitely be an adjustment period for my family living in a different country, but we are excited to take in the new experience.”

“Have you considered the adjustments you have to make now that you are pitching to hitters In the PEBA rather than Japan?” a season ticket holder asked.

“No, I have not,” the translator replied.  “I think they will have to adjust to me.”

“You have won two Neo-Tokyo Cups,” stated the local sports news anchor.  “Now, you are going from one championship team to another.  Do you feel fortunate or, rather, pressured to keep Florida on the winning track?”

“I’ve been fortunate to play on winning teams,” the translator described.  “I enjoy going out to each game and winning.  There is no pressure to win.  If you feel pressured to win, you either have not prepared yourself or don’t have enough confidence.”

“How will it feel when you step onto the mound and throw your first pitch as a Featherhead?” another fan wondered.

“It will be special, and then I will move on with it,” the translator replied.

“This now concludes the question and answer portion of our event,” Lewis announced.  “At this time, we would like to formally issue Keitaro Kodo his Florida Featherheads jersey.”

Lewis reached underneath the press conference table and retrieved a Kodo Featherheads jersey.  Along with Streets, the two proudly displayed the Florida red and blue jersey to the crowd.  Eying the jersey with reverence, Kodo stood up and took off his jacket with help from the translator.  With Streets and Lewis by Kodo’s side, the two collectively helped Kodo put on his new jersey.  Streets and Kodo exchanged an historic international handshake that was met with hundreds of camera flashes.  The two men – one the employer and the other the employee – graciously hugged one in another historic exchange.

This was a momentous night for the franchise.  The deal was done – signed, sealed, and delivered.  Kodo is officially now a Featherhead.  More importantly, the Featherheads have officially changed the culture of the team and the landscape of baseball.  It’s no longer Aurora capitalizing on the small guy.  It was not Bakersfield or Palm Springs that pulled off this move.  This was done by a team in a modest market.  It was not a traditional powerhouse that made it happen, but rather an upstart franchise led by a visionary.  Score one for “mom-and-pop”.

Although it was the money which in large part helped secure Kodo, this historic night should not be remembered for money.  It was one man’s vision back in 2008 that made it happen, not money.  It was a public vow that made it happen; it was a promise to oneself.  It was a belief that things can change in Florida.  The baseball culture in Florida is changing because one man appraised his own team’s worth rather than let the perception of others dictate his team’s worth.

It is this intrinsic fact that makes Florida a team without a price tag.  The Florida franchise is not a team run by money; it is run by guts and guile.  So for all the other aspiring “mom-and-pop” franchises out there, look in the mirror first before looking at the bank account.  It is in the mirror where a man finds his most valuable assets… not in his bank account.