Yoshitoki Ono (2-3, 7.49) wants to be traded from the Lupin Cliffhanger baseball franchise. “I feel like I can still start,” said the 36-year-old. “I’ve got the pitches, and the arm is as good as ever.” The right-hander appeared in 20 games for the Cliff Hangers last season, 17 of them in relief. “It’s clear that […]
Announcer: “Kudo and Kimura in the Morning” has been on hiatus for quite some time because the co-hosts, former Ghost shortstop Naizen Kimura and second baseman Sadao Kudo, have been serving as minor league coaches in the Ghosts’ farm system. But now, with the 2018 Playoffs firmly underway, ESPN-Japan proudly announces the return of Kudo and Kimura in […]
The Lupin front office signaled an increased emphasis on fan appreciation, hosting what they caller the first annual “Crash the Castle” extravaganza on opening night of the 2018 Wasei Junkesshou. “The Wasei Junkesshou represents everything that is right about Japanese baseball,” new GM Ron Collins said in a media announcement released the morning before the games. “The team invites […]
October, 2018 — Lupin Cliff Hanger owner Paul Walker shocked the world today, announcing his signing of one-time Kawaguchi GM Ron Collins to a deal that will have him replace highly beloved GM Jim Konopka, who tendered a tearful resignation a mere few weeks prior. Collins’s departure from the Transmitter helm was as mysterious as his arrival was rambunctious, having left his office empty […]
What the old man thought: The wheels on the guerney go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the guerney go round and round … He couldn’t get the damn song out of his head. It played round and round, over and over, again and again, until he thought he’d […]
Crystal Lake, Illinois; October 16, 2018 – Shortly after the Crystal Lake Sandgnats concluded their most disappointing season in team history, rumors began to swirl. Rival executives and baseball insiders spoke of a massive, impending shakeup in the team’s front office; the GM, the manager, remaining star players, everyone was on the chopping block and no job was safe. Today, in […]
When we talk baseball in the League of the Rising Sun we are used to certain numbers and statistics. Our speech is another form of sports jargon. When we talk amongst ourselves we understand completely. But if you talk to a non-sports fan, it seems like another language to them. The Kuwana Steel Dragons have played a very big […]
Without a team and mulling retirement, veteran Hirata finds everything changed with a single phone call. By Kubiyo Matushito, Niihamasports.com (Niihama City — September 1, 2018) — By the time the phone call came nearly two months ago, Masakazu Hirata had nearly given up. “I was ready to concede that my baseball career was over,” recalls the […]
Aug 19, 2018: Kyoto By Saruwatari Tsuyoshi, Kyoto Shimbun News The vermouth was fragrant and strong, but it couldn’t mask the pain completely. It was a long time ago. An unforgettable time measured in moments and fragile heartbeats. The explosion itself left no strong memories. The wound made up the difference. It didn’t stop the tourists; they […]
By Shin Suitougakari, Naha Shisa correspondent August 19, 2018: Kuwana, Japan — Greetings everyone! I am honored to be able to do my internship as a Communications major at the University of Tsukuba by becoming the acting Naha Shisa correspondent. You may remember me from the popular Shisa Toons way back in 2010; the successful children’s show Shin! from 2011-2016; and the total bust that was […]