The Last Inning

We lost the first game 5-4 to eliminate us from the RBC Tournament. Going into the bottom of the 9th up 4-2, the coach decided to stick with the starting pitcher. He threw a good game, but he couldn't keep Okinawa University from scoring 3 runs to take the walk off win. It was hard for me not getting the nod to come in and close the door, but all thing work in according to the Lord's purpose. My last baseball game competing and I didn't even pitch! There is a reason for it that I may never know. This game concludes my baseball career in Japan and completely. I will not put on another uniform, throw another pitch, or do any baseball related practices or training. I have pitched my last inning. God has blessed me huge! I've been able to play until I was 30 years old. I played on club teams, Company teams, and on a professional level. What more can I ask for.

Thank you again if you followed this blog about my life playing baseball in Okinawa and mainland Japan. I pray that God continues to pour out His Holy Spirit upon the young baseball players and old baseball players alike.

God bless you!!

RBC Tournament 2012

This will be my last game as a member of Aniya baseball club. I'm not exactly sure what the Lord has in store next. All in all, this might just be the last game of my career in Japan. I'm so blessed that I was given the opportunity to play this long. God is in control. On November 3rd, we will be playing in the 20th annual Ryuku Broadcasting Company Tournament. The game will be held at the AU Cellular Stadium in Naha. This is where the Yomiuri Giants of the NPB play during their spring training in February. The stadium is by far the most recent and stellar stadium in all of Okinawa. Playing there leaves no room for excuses. The conditions are nearly perfect. Up first: Okinawa University. We just defeated them 2-1 in an exhibition game last Sunday afternoon. I came into the 9th inning and recorded the save by striking out the side. Hopefully, we can take this game, and then head into next week against Teruclinic. The second round of games will be held at Nago Stadium in Nago City.

I believe the Lord is still doing a work in the lives of these baseball players. I was able to hand out some Christian baseball tracks with Matt Murton's testimony to a lot of the guys on the team. Just the other day, one guy named Yoshi, asked me if Christians drink alcohol. I was able to share with him, but have been blessed that my witness for Christ has been noticed. I just need to remember to always keep my cool even when the Umpires call a strike a ball! I just sit back and try to swallow my pride on those calls.

Please continue to pray with me. I'll keep you updated.

God bless you!

rob

Aniya vs. Okinawa University

The last weekend of July brought a match up against Okinawa University. I got the start and was able to go 6 innings of 1 run (0 earned) ball. I was blessed to have only scattered 4 hits, 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Unfortunately, our bats couldn't get anything going offensively, therefore we fell 1-0. Okinawa University is known for there strong top of the order batters. These players just last year played for Itoman High school, the school that played in the summer tournament up at Koshien (Tiger's Stadium) in Osaka. I was told before the game to pitch inside/outside to these guys. On a downside, I hit 2 batters. One batter on a late breaking ball in the shoulder and the other with a 2 strike fastball right on the upper back. The hit batter then stole second before I retired the next batter. On the way back to the dugout, I was able to apologize to him. Japanese baseball is very different from America. If you hit a batter, a tip of your cap to him or formally taking off your cap and bowing to him means that it was %100 unintentional. Japanese are very understanding when it comes to hit batters. I was grateful. Also, I took a line drive off the back of my leg, but was able to recover and throw the batter out at first.

This year I have posted a 1.29 era in 34 2/3 innings. I have given up 5 runs, 10 hits, 20 K's, 7 BB.

God has been blessing me big time. All honor and glory goes to Him alone!!

God bless you!

rob

University of the Ryukyus Game

We had our second game this summer on Saturday versus the University of the Ryukus. We lost the game 10-1. Our starting pitcher gave up 8 runs in 4 innings pitched. Our middle reliever gave up 2 runs in 2 innings pitched. By the time I had the chance to enter, the game was seemingly out of reach. I threw the 8th and 9th pitching two consecutive perfect innings. 6 up and 6 down. I've been throwing my change-up more these days, totaling four change-ups to 3 curve balls. I had 3 strikeouts.

Our next game is this Saturday the 14th versus Ryudai and then on to Okikokudai on the 21st.

May God pour out his Holy Spirit upon the baseball players!

rob

Okinawa University

Finally on Saturday, we had the chance to play Okinawa University. Every time we were scheduled to play against them, the game was rained out. I got the nod as the starting pitcher. I went 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 1 hit hit, 2 errors, 4 k's, and 2 walks. Obviously the walks hurt me. The first inning with 2 outs and a runner on third is where they got their 2 runs. A deep fly to left was severely misjudged by the right fielder! He took two steps forward, and then realized his mistake as the ball sailed over his head. Overall, the hitter made good contact, but a few steps backwards towards the fence would have enabled the right fielder to make the putout. Our corner outfield had always been our weakest link. This year, we acquired a very strong center field from the mainland.

Thus far I'm sporting a 1.72 era in 15 2/3 innings. God's been graciously blessing me with the best year for my career here in Japan. In my two year stint with Enagic, I finished with a 5.60 era in around 20 innings. I was a middle reliever.

Lastly, we also won the game 4-3 on a walk-off single. God is good!

God bless you,

rob

83rd All-Japan Tournament: Lost 6-1

On Saturday the 28th of April, we were ousted 6-1 by Enagic in the 83rd All-Japan Tournament. We held our own as we took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth. That inning, Enagic scored 2 runs on our starting pitcher to take a 2-1 lead going into the eighth inning. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, one of our relieving pitchers loaded the bases, and then gave up a grand slam! I got the call to come in with one out with the bases clear. I was able to retire the cleanup hitter, gave up a single to the 5th batter, and retired the 6th hitter on a fly ball in foul territory. This was my first appearance against my former team. It was a relief to have been effective, even though we ended up losing the game. I was blessed to have the opportunity to see so many of the guys in which I played two years of my life with. I will continue to pray for them and seek opportunity to share Jesus' love with them.

So we were eliminated from the tournament with just one game to play. Now comes playing baseball in the hot Okinawan summer!

God bless you,

rob

83rd All-Japan Tournament: 1st Rd. vs Enagic

Tomorrow is another big game. This game is quite unusual since it will be the first time I will face my former team. We play Enagic tomorrow in the first round of the 83rd all-Japan tournament. The game will be held at Naha Cellular Stadium starting at 9 am. If we win, we will advance to the next round against the Okinawa Electric Company. A very tough schedule to have to start off the tournament. If we win those two games, we will qualify to enter the Kyushu tournament in Mainland Japan.

Please pray that the name of Jesus will be uplifted.

God bless,

rob