The U.S. Consulate General in Naha is excited to bring the photo exhibition Pacific Pitch to Okinawa. The photographs in this exhibition span almost the entire length of US-Japan relations from the 1860s through today. The photos show how the people of our two countries have bonded over the love of our shared national pastime.

From the Meiji era, when baseball was first introduced to Japan, through the euphoria that surrounded Babe Ruth and the All Star team’s visit to Tokyo, to the trauma of World War II and how baseball helped bring us back together as friends, and on to the modern game, this exhibition of historic photos shows that it truly is not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

This exhibition will not just appeal to baseball fans, but to anyone who is interested in the history of US-Japan relations or the power of sports to bring people together. The exhibition is free and will be at the Urasoe Art Museum from February 2 through the 18th and at the Nago City Central Library from February 23 through March 11. When the exhibition is in Urasoe, it will also include selected items from the U.S. Consul General’s personal collection of signed balls, bats, and other memorabilia.

Fresno Athletic Club visits Meiji Jingu Stadium, 1927 Tokyo
Courtesy of the Nisei Baseball Research Project

Ichiko baseball team practices baseball after school, ca. 1898 Tokyo
Courtesy of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame

Lefty O’Doul shakes hands with Prince Akihito at a Seals game, 1949 Tokyo
Courtesy of the Con Dempsey Family Archive

Joe DiMaggio provides batting tips to the Hiroshima Carp with help from Kenshi “Harvey” Zenimura (left), 1954 Tokyo
Courtesy of the Nisei Baseball Research Project

Chunichi Dragons manager Wally Yonamine celebrates title championship with his team, 1974 Tokyo Courtesy of Kyodo News

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