Disaster Strikes
Unless you’ve been in a cave, you’re aware of the series of disasters that has taken place over the last few days in northern Japan. I was away in Arizona when these events took place.
I would like to say that I hope everyone reading this was unharmed by the earthquake and tsunami. If you or your family or friends are among those affected, please accept my deepest sympathies, and know that you are in the thoughts of many people on this side of the Pacific.
While I come up with something intelligent to say about the situation, I’d like to direct your attention to two items I found on the New York Times: before and after satellite imagery of various locales in the Tohoku region, and Nicholas Kristof’s blog post on Japanese resolve.
15/03/2011 at 2:44 am Permalink
This is admittedly an ill-time question, knowing the gravity of the situation in Japan, but has there been any talk in the papers or press about whether or not the NPB will play this season or how the earthquake/tsunami are expected to affect the league? I ask this because I know exactly how much baseball meant as an emotional healing tool in the U.S. after 9/11 (which is nowhere near this level of disaster, obviously) and not knowing what the state of the infrastructure of the NPB stadiums and communities is like right now.
15/03/2011 at 8:13 am Permalink
I don’t have any doubt that NPB will play this season. All the exhibition games this weekend were cancelled but some exhibition games and other practice activities are being resumed. About $12k was raised for charity in the first post-disaster exhibition games: http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/photos/110315/bsa1103150522002-p1.htm
Obviously the Tohoku region is in bad shape and that will affect the Rakuten Eagles. In 1995 when the Hanshin Awaji struck, the Orix Blue Wave played a role in Kobe’s recovery. Hopefully that will be the case for Rakuten this year.
15/03/2011 at 8:58 am Permalink
npb people just had a talk today and they are still intending to play the season, agreeing upon that 11 teams helping out the eagles providing practice fields as well as ballparks where the eagles would play their home games…
16/03/2011 at 5:50 am Permalink
patrick, is everybody you know safe? i was able to contact everyone i know in japan and everyone seems to be doing fine.
16/03/2011 at 8:48 am Permalink
I also hope that everyone and their families are safe. I don’t know when the time for baseball will be, but I hope everyone is still looking forward to it, as inconsequential as it may seem.
I know I will be a Golden Eagles fan this season for sure.
It’s not about me, but I unfortunately will never forget that I was watching the pro yakyu spring camp show online when the news broke in and began showing the shaking. My thoughts are with all affected by this tragedy. I have no doubt that Tokohu and Japan will rebound stronger than they were.
16/03/2011 at 1:48 pm Permalink
Central 3-25
Pacific possibly 4-12
Golden Eagles may be playing their home games somewhere in the
Kansai area
16/03/2011 at 4:04 pm Permalink
The obvious candidate for Rakuten is what I will refer to as Green Stadium Kobe.
http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/110317/bsh1103170504000-n1.htm
Ironic considering the Ganbarou Kobe 1995 Orix Blue Wave played there. http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/week5jd/14597715.html
16/03/2011 at 8:14 pm Permalink
Ironic? I think it would be fitting.
Chiba’s a problem too, the entire landfill area seems to have experienced liquified asphalts and manholes popping up (or the ground sinking?)
I’m safe in Tokyo by the way, Tokyo should remain safe, we’re far enough removed from Fukushima.
Focus should be on helping the people in Tohoku.
16/03/2011 at 9:54 pm Permalink
Yes, that is a better choice of words.
16/03/2011 at 9:54 pm Permalink
And I’m glad you’re okay, I hope the other regulars are as well.
17/03/2011 at 6:56 am Permalink
Irony is the Hanshin Tigers and Orix BlueWave (becoming the Buffaloes) strongly objecting to the possibility that the expansion team might move into their territory in 2004/5, and now inviting the same expansion team to be their neighbor.