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!