Question about Japanese Players

It is obvious that Fukudome is extremely well-schooled in the fundamentals.
Is this more typical of players developed in Japan than in the U.S.? Do
their players generally have better plate discipline?

"Claude" <claude@hatesspam.com> wrote in message
news:480feb94$0$31728$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> It is obvious that Fukudome is extremely well-schooled in the
> fundamentals. Is this more typical of players developed in Japan than in
> the U.S.? Do their players generally have better plate discipline?
>
>
Yes, the Japanese players are more fundamentally sound. Some who have come
to the majors have been upset over the lack of infield drills before games.
Just look at Fukudome, Ichiro, H. Matsui, even So Taguchi. They don't make
a lot of dopey mistakes, at the plate or in the field.

By the way, is anyone else surprised the Cardinals opted not to re-sign So
Taguchi in the off season? He hit .290 last year, which is pretty decent
for a bench player/part time starting outfielder. Taguchi has a decent
glove & can come thru in the clutch. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's not
with St. Louis, but guys off the bench hitting .290 aren't easy to come by.

Cameron

From what we have seen from Ichiro, Matsui and now Fukudome that's the
case. I read something recently that Fukudome said that the strike zone is
smaller in Japan. He said he uses the Japanese strike zone, because he has
been use to that one and he felt trying to learn the one in the states
could cause some confusion and get him off track. The key to the Cubs
success has been more patience at the plate and playing sound fundamental
Baseball. This maybe a breakout year for Cedeno and Theriot.

--
Message posted using [url]http://www.talkaboutbaseball.com/group/alt.sports.baseball.chicago-cubs/[/url]
More information at [url]http://www.talkaboutbaseball.com/faq.html[/url]

Japanese baseball players are conditioned more for balance than strength.
It may be why their pitchers can go more innings. Training to throw 100 mph
and hit 500 foot homers also adds a lot of injuries.



"Claude" <claude@hatesspam.com> wrote in message
news:480feb94$0$31728$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> It is obvious that Fukudome is extremely well-schooled in the
> fundamentals. Is this more typical of players developed in Japan than in
> the U.S.? Do their players generally have better plate discipline?
>
>
>

On Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:37:09 -0500, "CLM in ND"
<camarvel8@hotmail.com> gave us:
>"Claude" <claude@hatesspam.com> wrote in message
>news:480feb94$0$31728$4c368faf@roadrunner.com.. .

>> It is obvious that Fukudome is extremely well-schooled in the
>> fundamentals. Is this more typical of players developed in Japan than in
>> the U.S.? Do their players generally have better plate discipline?

>Yes, the Japanese players are more fundamentally sound. Some who have come
>to the majors have been upset over the lack of infield drills before games.
>Just look at Fukudome, Ichiro, H. Matsui, even So Taguchi. They don't make
>a lot of dopey mistakes, at the plate or in the field.

>By the way, is anyone else surprised the Cardinals opted not to re-sign So
>Taguchi in the off season? He hit .290 last year, which is pretty decent
>for a bench player/part time starting outfielder. Taguchi has a decent
>glove & can come thru in the clutch. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's not
>with St. Louis, but guys off the bench hitting .290 aren't easy to come by.

His BA isn't his problem. It's his poor pitch selection and lack of
power. Over the past three years, his OPS+ has been 91, 78 and 88.
And last year, his fielding slipped dramatically -- so much so that I
suggested at the time that he get his eyes checked. He's 38 years old
and not getting any better; guys like him can be plucked out of AAA
for a lot less money that Taguchi was getting.

--
Lance

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can
fake that, you've got it made." - Groucho Marx


----== Posted via Pronews.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
[url]http://www.pronews.com[/url] The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= - Total Privacy via Encryption =---