I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to stand in at the last minute as the Manager of our U16 team traveling to Japan on the 1st August and returning on the 10th August last year.

The team of 16 young men, led by their Head coach John Yard and his assistant coach Paul Jones, flew out of Sydney at 9.00am on Friday 1st of August. Our arrival in Japan almost became the shortest tour of all time, with the threat that we may be turned back at the airport. Japanese immigration officials did not want to let us into the country, as we could not provide them with the addresses of the billeting families of our IBA hosts. Fortunately after much fast talking we were able to convince the officials that we were being hosted by IBA and they allowed us in to their fascinating country.

We were met at the airport lounge by Mr Tominaga, and families from our host city Hiratsuka. The bus trip to Hiratsuka through the centre of Tokyo took us a little over 2 hours, where the other billeting families met us and picked up the boys and John, Paul and I were then taken to our motel.

The baseball games started early on the Saturday. We had a one and half hour bus trip along the coast to Atami Baseball park where we played 2 close games of baseball against ABC and then Yugawarra. The games were separated by lunch prepared by the host families, topped up with what I can only describe as a feast of Macdonald’s cheeseburgers.

The boys returned to their billeting families while the team officials were taken to a traditional Japanese restaurant for the official reception in what I can only describe as a very warm friendly atmosphere. The language barrier was never an issue with about 4 dictionaries of translations, and broken English among several of our hosts.

Sunday was another double-header at a local company owned baseball ground against the ABC team. Lunch consisted of a Bar B Q followed by more Macdonald’s cheeseburgers.

Unfortunately our time with the families from Hiratsuka was only very short as we left for Chiba on the Monday morning. Although only in Hiratsuka for 3 nights, we made some great friendships – especially with the ‘Lady with the red book’ our chaperone, who used a red translation dictionary to help communicate with us.

We left Hiratsuka at about 8.30am for our train trip to Noda City via Tokyo, the trip taking approx 4 hours. The local Atago high school was our host for our second leg of our tour. We were greeted with a school concert after lunch and then taken to the local government offices where we were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor and the minister for schools (the equivalent of our State Government). Afterwards the boys met their host families and the officials travelled to our Hotel.

Later that night we attended a formal reception which was also attended by local government, school and baseball officials alike. The highlight of the evening was experiencing our first (and only) earthquake, I wasn’t sure if I should dive under the table or just grin and bear it like every one else.

On Tuesday August 5th we played games against Sekiyado team and Noda team at the Noda Daiichi Junior High School.
Wednesday morning was an excursion to the Sekiyado Castle and a nature museum. In the afternoon the boys were given their first free time to do some souvenir shopping in a local centre.

Thursday we travelled to the Nodasiei Stadium for a game against the all Noda A team – possibly the strongest team we met on our tour. This was followed in the afternoon by a game against Kamagaya.

On Friday morning we played Nagareyama-hokubu Junior High at the Hukuda baseball ground. In the afternoon we travelled to Chiba City baseball stadium where we hosted at a home game by the Chiba Marines Major League Baseball Club. We were given the honour of going onto the field and meeting by the starting pitcher.

Saturday was our last day, we met at the Nodasiei School ground where we played the All Noda B team. In the afternoon we had a farewell party at a local pre-school.
On Sunday morning we travelled with our hosts to Disneyland where we all had great day (even John Yard enjoys the big roller coasters in Disneyland). From there we travelled to Narita airport arriving 6 pm for a 11.00 pm flight. (nothing like being early).

While the boys played plenty of baseball and saw many sites, the most enduring memory I have kept from this trip, is the overwhelming generosity and warmth of our hosts. We can never hope to match their hospitality when IBA teams visit us, however we should always make an effort to open our homes to them when ever we are given the chance.
The trip was a great learning curve for both the boys and myself, one that I hope I am given the opportunity to repeat in the future.

Mark Farrell
Manager NSWJBL Under 16 Touring team