On Wednesday January 20th at 7:30 pm Harry Sakamaki will be at the Library to talk about Japanese baseball. In The Housekeeper and the Professor, baseball is the glue in the connection between the Professor and Root, the Housekeeper’s son. Math is the language they use to discuss the game.
Baseball in Japan is similar to …and different from… American baseball. Mr. Sakamaki, President of the Japan Society of Fairfield County, will explain.
Here’s a little quiz to get you thinking about Japanese baseball:
1. In what year was baseball first introduced in Japan?
2. Who played and who won the first recorded international baseball game in Asia?
3. What are some of the unusual (to Americans) rules of Japanese baseball?
4. Who was Enatsu and what was his number?
Answers:
1. It was introduced in 1872 by Horace Wilson who taught at the Kaisei School in Tokyo.
2. In 1896, Tokyo U. beat the American team from Yokohama Country and Athletic Club 29-4.
3. Tie games are allowed; the baseball, strike zone, & field are smaller; only four foreign players per team are allowed.
4. Yutaka Enatsu, one of the best pitchers of all time, had 401 strikeouts in one season (1968). His number is 28.
On Saturday January 30th from 1-4, “Math, Memories and Making Connections” at the Library will include Andy Iversen and his collection of baseball cards. Bring your cards and connect with other collectors. More on WestportREADS.
