Pro Yakyu (Professional Baseball)

Well, here we go. For about a month now, I have been communicating with an Independent Professional team in mainland Japan. About a month a half ago, I sent my baseball profile to 10 Independent Pro teams in the mainland area. Lately, the Lord has been really speaking to me about stepping out in faith, especially, when it seems impossible. Well, I immediately recieved a response from one of the teams signifying that they weren't interested. It was a little discouraging, yet, soon after, 2 others teams replied with interest and a tryout if I was willing to take the hour and a half flight up to mainland. I had two teams to pray about and seek the Lord on which team I would go for. I actually decided to heavily talk to the Fukui Miracle Elephants. What a name huh? Well, they're a stronger team and they also have the nicest uniform. Over time, I simply lost interest in this team and continued my talks with the Kishu Rangers. The team you see in the above pics is the team I will be trying out for next year. I was actually blessed with 2 round trip tickets from my family. Myself and my brother Tokito will be flying to Osaka on January 12th. The tryout is in Wakayama about an hour and a half south of Osaka at the Kishu Rangers Stadium. It's exciting to see the Lord provide simply when you just step out in faith! My desire is to share Jesus with baseball players alike everywhere! Please pray for us and just what the Lord wants to do! It's all about Him!!! God bless you and continue to keep in contact for the next chapter of robsfieldof dreams!

Merry Christmas

Thursday nights are definitely my favorite. The indoor field house is just too extraordinary! We warmed up, played some catch, and then a few of us went outside to the practice field and did some tire training. That's right, we raced each other pulling tires with ropes! I'm definitely sore today around the hips! Next week will be our last practice of the year and then I have some big news on where the Lord may have me next. Please stay tuned and check in next time at the Robs Field of Dreams! God bless you and thanks for your continual prayers!

Saturday Practice

Saturday was another day of training! The season won't start until next year, but, we keep on playing the game in great fashion. The weather has been a lot warmer of late. It was just great being with the guys again. I'm not sure how long I'll be with the Teruclinic guys, but, I know the Lord definitely has a plan for me practicing with the team. I also threw a 30 pitch bullpen from the 100 pitches I threw on thursday. Please pray that the Lord will give super natural strength!!

Ginowan field photos

Toss

Ginowan Baystar's Facility

Thursday's practice was the first one that I attended since the Bible college semester has nearly come to an end. The Ginowan field house is superb! Talk about a pro level facility! The Yokohama Baystars from mainland Japan hold their spring camp here during February. We had a full squad of around 11 guys. I was able to throw a pen which is always a blessing. If you look closely in one of the pitching video's, you will notice the condition of the mound is actually in poor shape. Upon landing after every toss, I felt like I was falling into a sink hole. I still threw about 100 pitches as I'm just trying to keep my arm in shape. Hope you'll like these video's. God bless you and thanks for checking in to the Field of Dreams.

The Cages

New Shoes

Two weeks ago I bought a new pair of shoes on base for about $20. The very next day at practice, Ryo, one of the other pitchers on the team, absolutely loved them and wanted to buy a pair for himself. I told him that I might be able to buy a pair for him if I had another chance to head on base. Well, I was blessed to be able to buy him a pair on tuesday for the same price. He was blown away that they cost only $20. It was the first time I'd bought a size 9 shoe since I was a young boy! we worked out together wearing the same shoes and overall I was blessed to see the look on his face when I brought out the shoes! Also, here are some of the guys taking some swings in the cage. God bless you!

Ginowan Pony Field

Every saturday we gather down in Ginowan at the local Pony field for mostly infield practice. Today it was severly cold and almost unbearable. None of the pitchers were able to throw a pen due to the weather, neither could any of the guys take some batting practice in fear of a few cracked bats. Afterwards we gathered for some pictures despite the freezing cold. The guy on the far right in the group picture is "Kawaii-san." He's new to the team and is the second oldest guy on the team next to me at 25 years old. He recieved a Christian baseball DVD and said he would watch it for sure. Practice was cold but sweet.

Always for the kids

Wednesday's practice was a little bit different than usually. Near the Teruclinic facilty, there's a park where many kids gather to play baseball. These kids usually play with an Okinawan "gumball" or "Nanshiki." We went to play some catch when all of a sudden, the kids noticed a big white guy playing with them. Well you guessed it, the kids were hanging around us and asking all kinds of questions. These kids are the future of baseball in Okinawa. It's always important to incorporate the kids in everything we do! So, I asked them if they wanted to take some pics with us. They swarmed the camera lense! I was very blessed to have inspired some kids in any way. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Matthew 18:3-5

Teruclinic

Wednesday was another practice at the Teruclinic facility. We hit the weights along with a good long warm-up. Some of the guys took some batting practice. This is the inside of the workout room. Nao and Kina-san are hitting them weights hardcore. The season is over officially until next year, but the training continues! Please pray that these guys will learn more about their Creator, Jesus! 神は愛!

Bad News Bears?

Tournament clips

Urasoe Stadium

Wednesday afternoon was yet another practice, but this time, we were at Urasoe Stadium only about 10 minutes from the house in Ginowan! This is where the Yukult Swallows from the Japanese bigs have their spring camp. We were blessed to have the opportunity to practice on this beautiful field! Above in the top picture is our very own manager, Ishikawa-san. He's only 23 years old and also works with Teruya-san at Teruclinic. This man is probably the most gentle Japanese man I've ever met! During team meetings, he's very soft spoken in his speeches along with encouragement on how each person can become better at their respective position. He's also a pitcher and can hit some as well. Pray for Ishikawa-san that the Lord will get a hold of his gentle heart!

Koza Field House

Saturday afternoon was yet another great practice. Practice was held at the Koza field house in Okinawa City. The field house has an indoor batting cage and pitching mound. I was able to throw a bullpen with Teruclinic's very own catcher, Kina-san. He's a young guy with a great throw down to second base! He also works for Doctor Teruya-san at Teru. I am blessed just being able to practice with these guys! Please pray for these players that they would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior! As practice continues, I will be introducing more and more of the guys! God bless you and thank u for your prayers!

Oshiro san

Let me introduce you to the assistant manager for the Teruclinic baseball club. His name is Nao Oshiro! Nao is 20 years old and plays 2nd base. He was the first guy I met at Teruclinic and also has helped me with my contract. Every practice he always has a smile and a few english words to share with me! He has a lot of passion for the game and he also works at the clinic. Him and Teruya-san together create DVD's for each tournament game! My favorite was when they played against Honda from mainland Japan! God has given me favor with these guys not only just to play baseball with them, but also to get to know them!

Yokohama Baystars Camp

About 2 years ago, Trevor, Keisuke and myself were able to meet a couple Americans playing pro baseball in Japan. This players name was Jason Beverlyn. Before then he played for the Yakult Swallows before having to undergo surgery on his elbow. Here was his first camp with the Yokohama Baystars. We chated with him for awile asking plenty of questions about his big league career. He played a brief stint with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to Japan. He informed us that he was hoping to return to the big leagues. We were actually able to share with him a little why we lived in Okinawa.

Wednesday Practice

Yesterday we had practice at the Teruclinic facility. We usually workout with weights and do some agility exercises along with some batting practice and a little tossing. One of the pitchers on the team took me for a 10km run around Naha! I guess I thought he was joking when he said it would be about 7 or 8 km! It was a good 45 minute run in the city, me(this big white guy)with two Okinawan guys crusing around the capital city of Naha. Here are some pics of the guys along with the field house and the sports hospital. I'm blessed that these guys let me practice with them! Please keep these guys in your prayers! God bless you and enjoy the Teruclinic!

Aniya Blue

This was actually the 2nd team I played for in Okinawa. The team was called Aniya Try Baseball Club. I worked out at this facility with the team for about 3 months before they also went under. It was a blessing just getting to know some of the guys from Osaka and seeing their passion for baseball! This is Daniel and I playing some catch in the bullpen! Daniel did a great job!

Clips

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Here are some older clips from last years tournament when I was playing for the Naha Samurai club team.

Tournament

This is Akama Stadium up in Onna Villiage. A pro team from Korea has spring training here during February.My team had a tournament last year in August.

The beginning

Here is the first blog for our Okinawan baseball fans out there! Baseball in Japan is huge! Their passion for the game is much bigger than the game itself! Pray that the Okinawan and Japanese people have that same passion for our Lord Jesus Christ! It all begins here on the Field of Dreams!