Japan Samurai Bears make East Valley debut
Published on June 2, 2005 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Mesa Miners News Release
MESA, ARIZONA âThe Japan Samurai Bears will be in town to play three games in two days against the Mesa Miners at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. The first game will be on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. which is also one dollar hot dog night. On Saturday, Family Night, there is a scheduled doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m. Fans can receive four tickets, four hot dogs, and four cokes for only 24 dollars.
This will be the first time that an all Japanese team has participated as a regular member of a U.S. professional sports league. The team will be led by manager and Japanese League baseball great Warren Cromartie.
"This is an historic moment for baseball in Japan and the United States. The Samurai Bears will provide an unparalleled cultural exchange between two countries that love the great game of baseball," said David Kaval, CEO of the Golden Baseball League. "The Japan Samurai Bears will play an exciting and unique brand of baseball that will be great for fans, competitive for the other teams in our league, and of interest to major league organizations looking for players."
The Japan Samurai Bears will play all 90 of their games on the road but the league expects a significant fan following in each market and in Japan as well. "The quality of player coming out of Japan will make this team very competitive," said Kevin Outcalt, GBL League Commissioner. "In some ways, I think this team will really push the competitive spirit of league and help us attract additional interest from the international baseball community. We are committed to a league comprised of the best players available from around the world. We want our baseball to be competitive and interesting to the broadest possible numbers of fans."
Along with the game, there will be several Japanese customs performed before, during, and after the games. Before the game, there will be a Shinkendo demonstration that involves a style of Japanese swordsmanship. If a Samurai Bear player hits a home run, it is traditional for the bat boy to hand that player a teddy bear who then throws it into the crowd. Also, if the Samurai Bears win a game, then the team manager leads the crowd in a Bonzai cheer.
Golden Baseball League Stories from June 2, 2005
- Japan Samurai Bears make East Valley debut - Mesa Miners
- Miners end losing streak, win 5-2 - Mesa Miners
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