| In recent years, the arrival in the United States of | | | | still holds today; two leagues of six teams each. |
| players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui has | | | | The introduction of television in 1955 brought |
| enlightened Americans about the popularity of the | | | | baseball to a wider audience in Japan as it did in |
| sport in Japan. But most Americans don't know | | | | the United States. |
| that Japan has almost as long a baseball history as | | | | There are a few differences in the style and rules |
| the United States. | | | | of play between modern American and Japanese |
| The exact date that baseball was introduced in | | | | baseball. The ball used in Japanese baseball is |
| Japan is not known, but it is attributed to | | | | smaller and lighter than the ball used in American |
| American professor Horace Wilson sometime | | | | baseball. Also, unlike American teams, Japanese |
| between 1867 and 1912. The Japanese people | | | | teams are only allowed four foreign players per |
| were immediately intrigued by western baseball, | | | | team, two position players and two pitchers. |
| seeing psychological similarities between baseball | | | | Stylistically, Japanese coaches focus more on the |
| and their native sports of sumo and martial arts. | | | | fundamentals of bunting, base running and fielding |
| In the 1930s, a team of famous American | | | | whereas American baseball has come to rely |
| baseball players including Babe Ruth and Lou | | | | heavily on pitching talent and long ball hitting. |
| Gehrig toured Japan and played games against | | | | Because of these differences, Japanese baseball |
| Japanese college players. Even though the | | | | games typically have closer and lower final scores |
| Americans won every game they played, the | | | | than American baseball games. |
| series helped build interest in baseball throughout | | | | In recent years, Japanese baseball teams have |
| Japan. The first Japanese professional team was | | | | been hit hard by players defecting to American |
| formed in 1934. | | | | teams. The Japanese league and Major League |
| During the years of World War II, as more men | | | | Baseball have an agreement requiring the |
| joined the military, baseball fell into disfavor and | | | | payment of fees by American teams wanting to |
| many baseball fields were turned into ammunition | | | | recruit Japanese players, but the rules do not |
| dumps or used to grow food crops. However, | | | | apply to free agents. Japanese people today are |
| after Japan was defeated, Allied commanders | | | | far more likely to watch an American team on |
| assisting in the rebuilding of Japan turned to | | | | television than they are a Japanese team. Players |
| baseball to boost morale and build stronger ties | | | | like Ichiro Suzuki are wildly popular in Japan and |
| with the west. | | | | are considered national heroes. |
| In 1950, the Japanese league took on the form it | | | | |