Japan Is Invading the MLB!

                                                                       "Baseball" Pics4Learning. Retrieved November 2, 2005 from http://pics.tech4learning.com/ 

                             Understanding Statement:  What was once thought to be an American pastime can now
                                     be considered an universal craze!  Japan and Japanese players are greatly influencing Major
                                     League Baseball. 

                              Introduction:  Major League Baseball is changing.  Many of our favorite players
                                     are not from the United States and do not speak English.  Players from countries such as
                                     México, the Dominican Republic, and especially Japan are proving that baseball is not only an
                                     American pastime but a national pastime as well.  Complete this Treasure Hunt to learn about
                                     Japan's influence on Major League Baseball.  Then complete the Putting It All Together
                                     Activity.                  

                              Questions:
                                        1.  Who was the first Japanese player to play in the MLB?

                                        2.  Japanese players did not decide overnight that they wanted to come to the United States
                                             to play in the MLB.  List a few of the events that lead to a Japanese player entering the MLB.

                                        3.  Almost thirty percent of Major League Baseball players in 2005 were born outside of the
                                             United States.  How many of these players were born in Japan?

                                        4.  In 2005 the MLB held its opening series in Japan.  A poll was taken by a local newspaper
                                             in Japan.  How did most people respond to this poll?

                                         5.  Do you feel it was a good idea?  Why or why not?

                                         6.  Here is a  list of thirty players born in Japan who played in the MLB from between 1965
                                               and 2005.  Choose one player and briefly describe his career.

                                         7.  Ichiro Suzuki won an award this season.  What was this award?  Has he won this award
                                              before?  If so, how many times?  Why do you think Ichiro Suzuki won this award?

                                        8.  Based on this image do you think Hideo Nomo was a successful pitcher?  Was he liked by his
                                              teammates?  After looking at the picture and answering the questions read the accompanying
                                              article.

                                        9.  Reread the Understanding Statement for this Treasure Hunt.  What questions do you still
                                             have?  Write your own question here.  If you have found an answer, write that too!

                                    Putting It All Together:  You have just been made the new Commissioner of the MLB!  Create a
                                    brochure describing how Japan has influenced the sport of baseball.  Include a brief history, the
                                    names of prominent players from Japan, awards they have won and the opinions that baseball fans
                                    have about Japanese involvement in the MLB.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                "Baseball Button" Pics4Learning. Retrieved November 2, 2005 from http://pics.tech4learning.com/       
                                                                                "Baseball Background" Pics4Learning. Retrieved November 2, 2005 from http://pics.tech4learning.com/