NPB could begin 2014 season in the US
by Gen on Dec.29, 2012 @ 3:02 pm, under NPB
NPB Commissioner Ryozo Kato spoke to reporters on Friday and mentioned his plans to celebrate the NPB's 80th anniversary in 2014 by opening the season in the US with one of Japan's oldest rivalries, the Yomiuri Giants vs the Hanshin Tigers.
"It would be nice if we can pull it off," said Kato. "Once a year, [I want to do something for fans] that will keep their interest going. Up until now, the MLB has been the one to come to Japan, but I hear Japanese baseball has a high value as a product in the US. If we play games over there, [the NPB] might become popular."
Fantastic idea! We need to see some plans to grow the image of NPB.
Sounds great, cant wait to see some real baseball here in the states!
This another point of the current NPB commissioner not seeing the reality. Don’t get me wrong. I watch NPB games and comment here regularly. But how many Americans would go to NPB games? They broadcast the Japan Series in the strike-shorted 1994 season (anyone remember?). Despite the increased number of Japanese players in MLB, I somehow feel international interest got worse in the baseball world.
NPB is partly to blame because they did nothing to widen their market. But that’s why Kato should do other things first. It’s worth pointing out that Kato used to be a career diplomat and the Emperor of the Yomiuri Land is well connected to the world of politics. This screams “impotent” to the eyes of many Japanese baseball fans.
“But that’s why Kato should do other things first.”
OK – like what?
It may not be a huge draw, but would probably do alright if done in California somewhere, especially in the year following the WBC. I think it would do better if they did some exhibition games against MLB teams first, like they’ve done in Japan prior to when MLB teams have played in Tokyo.
This sounds fantastic. Even if no games are played on the East Coast (Which I HIGHLY doubt), I’d love to watch a NPB game live, I don’t care which teams. Still, I’m a little skeptical that your average non-Japanese descent American baseball fan would be interested in this. Although, I suppose if it’s marketed right by the MLB or ESPN, maybe people would tune in out of curiosity. I really hope this happens though.
there are real NPB fans in america, even though MLB would have you believe they were the only league anyone watches. I think fans would flock to see good teams from Japan.