Japan has released its roster for the Honkbalweek Haarlem. It is a selection of Japanese college players, which will make the trip to Pim Mulier Stadium. Prior to the tournament, which will be played from July 13 to 22, the team will play an exhibition series against the United States. After arrival in the Netherlands another warm-up game against the Dutch team is scheduled.
Japan Roster for Honkbalweek Haarlem:
Pitchers (9):
Hiromi Ito (Tomakomai Komazawa University)
Hiroshi Kaino (Toyo University)
Wataru Matsumoto (Nippon Taiiku University)
Masato Morishita (Meiji University)
Kento Ogo (Tokai University)
Kazuya Ojima (Waseda University)
Noboru Shimizu (Kokugakuin University)
Seiya Tanaka (Rikkyo University)
Yuki Tsumori (Tohoku Fukushi University)
Catchers (4):
Hayata Fujino (Rikkyo University)
Toshiya Sato (Toyo University)
Yuma Tongu (Asia University of Japan)
Takashi Umino (Tokai University)
Infielders (8):
Yukiya Ito (Rissho University)
Shunya Iwaki (Kyushu Sangyo University)
Daigo Kamikawabata (Nihon University)
Shoki Katsumata (Kokusai Budo University)
Ryosuke Kodama (Kyushu Sangyo University)
Teruaki Sato (Kinki University)
Yoshiaki Watanabe (Meiji University)
Nagi Yonemitsu (Nara Gakuen University)
Outfielders (3):
Ryosuke Aizawa (Meiji University)
Motoki Mukoyama (Hosei University)
Ryosuke Tatsumi (Ritsumeikan University)
Has the Japan team in this tournament been made up of college players before?
I ask because, in Japan unlike the US, college baseball is far down the list of talent. In the US, college baseball is at least as high a quality of baseball as AA professional ball (perhaps not as talented, but much more skilled). For example, two-thirds of players who stick 5+ years in MLB are college alumni. My understanding this is not so in Japan, where the “minor” leagues are far superior to college baseball.
Anyone have information on this?