Say what you want about ESPN films, but this one looks like a winner if you ask me. ESPN is producing a two-hour documentary on Japanese Baseball and will more than likely show things about the Sport and Culture that have never been seen in America.

Slated to air in the Spring of 2008, the tentatively titled “Bobby V in Japan” will give baseball fans and viewers unprecedented access to Valentine and his team, while exploring the impact globalization has on the game’s present and future. Additionally, original online webisodes and written blogs detailing the production of the film and baseball life in Japan will be produced exclusively for ESPN.com’s Page 2.

The producers have been granted a rare inside look at a world mostly unknown to the American public. It’s a world where cheerleaders chant between innings, rock bands perform before each game and barbwires keep ecstatic fans from running onto the field.

I’m sold on the Japanese Cheerleaders alone! And rock bands is just the icing on the cake. But in all seriousness it’s such a different Sport over there, and this could actually be ground-breaking stuff. I’m actually looking forward to this one.

(Source: ESPN)

P.S.- For a great piece on Japanese baseball read Extra P’s “10 Things You Should Know” article at Chicago Sports Weekly (Pg 26). Great stuff.

Comments are closed.