American, Japanese, and Dominican cultures are all very different from each other, yet one thing they undoubtedly have in common is a love for baseball. In all three places around the world, baseball has become a pinnacle of culture for each. Although baseball is one of the most popular American sports, baseball has also become extremely popular in areas around the world such as Japan and the Dominican Republic.

Baseball was introduced to the Japanese by an American English professor in 1872. Until the early 1920s baseball was solely played as a recreational sport. But during World War Two, baseball was an easy way to pass the time. Many Japanese-American baseball players were sent to internment camps during World War Two. While there they built baseball diamonds and fields and began spreading the game. Today, the Japanese frequently beat countries throughout the world in international baseball games. In 2013, they entered the World Baseball Classic as two-time defending champions. The Nippon Professional Baseball (the MLB of Japan) consists of two leagues each with six teams. Japan has won two Olympic medals and the World Championship team has never placed below fifth in thirteen appearances. Upper School Boys’ Baseball Coach John Roskovensky shared his understanding of the contrast in players he has worked with,“The Japanese style emphasizes doing the little things through a great deal of practice.  I can quite reliably say that young Japanese players work harder than their counterparts in the US.  For example, Japanese players are very proficient in bunting, hitting-and-running, hitting with different counts, running the bases, etc.  As a result, they play a good team game, with each player contributing effectively given the situation.”

In America, baseball has become a major industry for both players, coaches, and fans. Last year, 73.7 million people attended professional baseball games. One would typically think that the most popular American sport is football, but last year only 17.6 million people attended professional football games. Ryan Wood ’16 commented on the position baseball has taken in our society today. “Like football, the other most popular sport, baseball is predominantly an American sport, and has had a strong presence in our country for centuries. It’s essentially its own culture at this point.” Since the early 18th century baseball has been a central sport throughout North America. During World War Two, the United States suffered due to many players joining the armed forces. But, after World War Two the popularity of baseball boomed and attendance rates skyrocketed nearly seventy percent.

On the other hand, in the Dominican Republic, baseball was introduced by the Cubans in the 1860s. The first baseball team in the Dominican Republic was run by none other than the dictator Rafael Trujillo as the sport grew around the country. Following the United States, the Dominican Republic has the second highest number of baseball players in Major League Baseball. For example, Pedro Martinez, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, David Ortiz, first baseman for Boston Red Sox, and Robinson Cano for the New York Yankees. Every season since 1999, Dominicans have compromised at least nine percent of the MLB rosters. This percentage is more than any nationality other than Americans. Szumel ’16 shared her experiences traveling to the Dominican Republic for service in the summer, nine percent of the MLB rosters. This percentage is more than any nationality other than Americans. Natalie Szumel ’16 shared her experiences traveling to the Dominican Republic for service in the summer.“in the Dominican Republic village I visit every summer, kids spend some of the time they’re not in school playing baseball. They play in a field that doubles as a pasture with a bat and a few spare baseballs, but there’s a major lack of equipment. They’re excellent players, so even with my lack of experience, it’s super fun to play baseball with them and experience a major part of their culture.”

Despite obvious differences in language, and culture, baseball is one aspect consistent throughout all three. Just like any sport, baseball unites a nation in more than just sport. In America, baseball has become a center for sports attraction, money, and no doubt national pride. Japan has become a worldwide competitor for the sport, and the Dominican Republic has become a central source to players throughout the MLB.