UNIT 1: J-BALL

SUMMARY ON J-BALL

     The reading, J-Ball, is about the history of Baseball. J-ball is the Japanese professional baseball. Baseball is a highly watched and played sport all over the world. It was called “townball” since the game was created. It began taking roots in the early nineteenth century in the Northeastern United States. Alexander Cartwright created the field dimensions in use today in the 1840´s. Henry Chadwick wrote the first rule book in 1858. In 1869, the first baseball professional team, Cincinnati Red Stockings was organized in the US. Besides, in Tokio, the first professional team, the Shibaura Club, was formed in the early 1920s.

     It is amazing to see how baseball spread in Latin American countries, like Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela where many people is crazy about baseball and many good players have succeeded. Also, baseball has taken root in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.

  Tetsuharu Kawakami “the God of Batting” and Shigeo Nagashima are two super stars of Giants team. Sadaharu Oh was the best known J-ball player worldwide. Also, Babe Ruth, a U.S. player, was very revered and loved in Japan. Eiji Sawamura became a great pitcher after striking out three times Babe Ruth. Lefty O´ Doul, a U.S. star player, helped mend relations between the United States and Japan. Mikami Goro became the first Japanese professional baseball player. The hitter, Suzuki Ichiro, was the Most Valuable Player of the American League.

Alexander Cartwright

Henry Chadwick

Cincinnati Red Stockings