The Journal

Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mariano Ulibarri

In part 1, the writer, a Webster baseball player who coached a USA Little League team during a summer tournament in Japan, relayed his team's arrival and subsequent cultural awkwardness abroad. Now, in part 2, the games begin.



The opening ceremonies for the tournament lasted about an hour. In all there were 12 teams from nine countries playing in the tournament: Japan 1, Japan 2, Japan 3, Kawasaki, United States of America, Germany, France, Chinese Tai Pei, China, Australia, Singapore and Uruyasu.

After a first round offensive outburst in a 5-1 victory against China, Team USA had a much tougher opponent in Uruyasu. With a win or tie, we would have ensured a chance to play in the medal round.

The time limit for each game was 1 hour and 40 minutes. At 1 hour and 39 minutes team USA had a 2-1 lead, but Uruyasu still had to bat. After walking the bases loaded, our pitcher picked off the runner on third for the first out. The next batter struck out, and the following hitter laced a single up the middle. I looked to Assistant Coach Kurt Garner looking for some stress relief. He didn't provide any. The bases were loaded with two outs in the last inning of a world championship tournament. How could any coach not be stressed in that situation?

Not only could I not watch the next at bat, I couldn't even sit in the dug out. I paced back and forth while my 14-year-old pitcher was trying to lift the world off his shoulders.

I had my back to the field when the pitch was delivered. I heard the oh-so-familiar ting of the aluminum bat striking the ball and snapped forward to see what happened. It was a base hit to left field, but the ball was hit so sharply our left fielder threw-out the runner trying to advance to third base. The run did score first and the game was tied, but we got out of the inning.

The umpire raised his hand and yelled, "Game over!" The two teams met at home plate, bowed to each other, and left the field somewhat unsatisfied. That aside, we made it to the medal round. The following morning, Team USA was to play Japan 3 to go to the World Championship.

The bus stopped at McDonald's on the ride home. It had only been two days since I had eaten American food, but I swear nothing will ever taste better than a McDonald's hamburger when you're in a land full of chicken and rice.

Continued...

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