1. Baseball Japan v. United States Nate Ruff

2. Areas of Contrast Discipline

3. Discipline Fan Support

4. Areas of Contrast Discipline Fan Support Salaries

5. Areas of Contrast Discipline Fan Support Salaries Skill Level

6. Areas of Contrast Discipline Fan Support Salaries Skill Level Rules

7. Discipline United States Serious lack of discipline Serious lack of discipline Steroid Use Steroid Use Focus more on the individual Focus more on the individual Periodic suspensions Periodic suspensions Fighting Fighting Throwing at batters intentionally Throwing at batters intentionally Japan Strict rules Team oriented Extremely hard work ethic

8. Fan Support United States Attendance Attendance MLB averaged 30,000 fans/game MLB averaged 30,000 fans/game Total Attendance increased 2.4% from 2004 Total Attendance increased 2.4% from 2004 Higher appeal to the youth Higher appeal to the youth Fans mostly just cheer mildly, some exceptions Fans mostly just cheer mildly, some exceptions Japan Attendance Pacific league averaged 31,000 fans/game- 5.8% increase Die hard fans: drums, trumpets, noise makers Often care about cheering more than the game itself Cheering can even be distracting

9. Salaries/Endorsements United States Top Salary = $26 Million Top Salary = $26 Million Many high paid players in the MLB Many high paid players in the MLB Based upon skill Based upon skill All players receive endorsements All players receive endorsements Japan Top Salary = 6.5 Million Yen Very few players make over 1 million Yen Japanese players are paid more Only the best team is marketable

10. Skill Level United States One main league- MLB One main league- MLB AAA AAA AA AA A More talented players in the U.S More talented players in the U.S “With some exceptions, the players of the NBP are about equal to the MLB AA players.” – Joe Morgan. “With some exceptions, the players of the NBP are about equal to the MLB AA players.” – Joe Morgan. Japan Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB) Other minor leagues throughout Japan- no affiliation Want a true World Series MLB v. NPB

11. Rules United States Fields have grass on infield Fields have grass on infield No ties allowed – extra innings are played until there is a winner No ties allowed – extra innings are played until there is a winner No time limit on games No time limit on games 162 games/season 162 games/season Playoffs consist of 8 teams and 3 separate series Playoffs consist of 8 teams and 3 separate series Japan Baseball is 3-4 millimeters smaller Umpires have wider strike zones No malicious contact permitted 146 games/season No designated hitter allowed

12. A few similarities…  Fundamental Rules  Game is played with 9 players on the field  Standard equipment (glove, bat, shoes, etc…)  Trading of players is allowed  MLB and NPB have an all-star game  Year end awards  A World Champion is crowned at the end of the playoffs  Level of play ranges from little league through college to the professional ranks  Similar field dimensions in ball parks