New Book About Japanese Baseball
In the Japanese Ballpark: Book Talk & Signing with Author Robert K. Fitts
Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m.
The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor
Admission: Free
The Japanese American Association of New York welcomes back author Robert K. Fitts to discuss his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, which takes a deep dive into the people who work in baseball in Japan: ushers, beer girls, mascots, as well as players and executives such as Matt Murton, Bobby V., and former NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato. In total, Fitts edited twenty-six interviews into narratives.
Fitts will give a presentation about the book and then have a Q&A with the audience. Copies of his book will be available for purchase, and he will sign them as well. Experience baseball the Japanese way with Rob Fitts! To RSVP, please send an email to info@jaany.org or call the JAA office at 212-840-6942.
Author Robert K. Fitts and his new book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball
About the Book
In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball takes you deep inside the heart of Japan’s national pastime—far beyond the box scores and highlight reels. To discover what truly sets Japanese baseball apart, author Robert Fitts went straight to the source: the players, managers, umpires, team owners, mascots, beer girls, and lifelong fans who live and breathe the sport. Through their personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the game works and what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun.
Get a front-row seat to the traditions, strategies, and spirit that define baseball in Japan. From the passion of the fans to the precision of the game, every page offers eye-opening stories and insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of the Japanese game, In the Japanese Ballpark can help you fully experience every pitch, hit, and cheer.
About Robert K. Fitts
A former archaeologist with a Ph.D. from Brown University, Robert K. Fitts left academics behind to follow his passion — Japanese baseball. An award-winning author and speaker, his articles have appeared numerous journals, magazines, and websites. He is also the author of ten books on Japanese baseball and Japanese baseball cards.
Fitts is the founder of SABR’s Asian Baseball Committee and a recipient of the society’s 2013 Seymour Medal for the Best Baseball Book of 2012 (Banzai Babe Ruth); the 2019 and 2023 McFarland-SABR Baseball Research Awards; the 2012 Doug Pappas Award for the best oral research presentation at the annual convention; and the 2006, 2021, 2023, and 2024 SABR Research Awards. He has twice been a finalist for the Casey Award and has received two silver medals at the Independent Publisher Book Awards. While living in Tokyo in 1993-94, Fitts began collecting Japanese baseball cards and now runs Robs Japanese Cards LLC. To learn more, please visit Fitts’s website.
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