Batter up - Youth baseball season kicks off

The 2009 youth baseball season began here Saturday under sunny skies at the Penny Lake fields, and Braves fans weren’t the only spectators cheering in the stands.

More than 270 children ages 3 to 15 adjusted their baseball caps and played catch shortly before a ceremony officially opened the highly anticipated season.

During the ceremony, players gathered as they were formally introduced together as teams for the first time.

A massive crowd of parents and spectators cheered as the players ran on the field.

Following a special Taiko drum performance and words from station commanding officer Col. Michael A. O’Halloran, the players again rushed the fields to begin action-packed games loaded with suspense and humor.

Cultural exchange was a hallmark of each team on the diamonds.

More than 40 Japanese children representing families from off-base will participate in the youth baseball season this year.

Marine Corps Community Services invites Japanese children and families to participate in many Youth Sports programs throughout the year by corresponding with Iwakuni City organizations.

Naomi Higashi, a cultural adaptation specialist with MCCS Youth Sports, said the cultural exchange is a key part of the season.

“I think it is important because we actually have little chance to know each other,” said Higashi, an Iwakuni native. “I myself hardly had opportunities to get to know about Americans or their culture.”

A language barrier often exists on the field, but the players, coaches and parents adapt by learning as much as possible about each other.

“Some of the Japanese children start learning English,” Higashi explained. “Their mothers say that the children start learning English because they want to talk with dedicated and generous coaches and teammates. I’ve seen American children trying to use Japanese phrases they learned at school when they speak to Japanese.

That’s really good for both of our countries because they are the bearers of the future.”