Nagase Kenko Corporation Executive Vice President Yasuhiko Nagase speaks with Eiichiro Yamamoto, First Vice President of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), President of the Baseball Federation of Asia and Japan Baseball Federation and Eduardo De Bello, President of COPABE, the Panamerican Baseball Federation.

Nagase: The IOC recently decided that Baseball and Softball, while remaining on the list of Olympic sports, will not be played in the 2012 games. What do you think of this decision and how do you think it will affect the game? More specifically, what does this mean in respect to attracting young players to baseball and softball in the future?

Yamamoto: I am very sorry about this decision, however, the baseball community including IBAF and Major League Baseball (MLB) were warned by IOC that Baseball and Softball might be dropped as an Olympic Sport at the 2003 IOC meeting in Mexico City. This view was based on their concern that these sports did not enjoy sufficient popularity outside of a few countries. IBAF and MLB disregarded this and did not take adequate steps to promote the game and now have to suffer the consequences. If this is to change in the future, the U.S. and Japan have to lead in building the popularity of Baseball within new markets.

De Bello: I consider the decision extremely unfortunate. There is no doubt this situation will negatively affect the sport’s global development. Baseball’s absence from the 2012 Olympic Games will lead to less television exposure and will certainly reduce interest from young viewers around the world.

Nagase: After the decision, U.S.A. Baseball released an official statement noting their disappointment and calling attention to the qualification games, which begin in Beijing this fall. They also noted an intention to work with their "fellow member federations around the world to ensure the return of baseball to the Olympic Programme". What are your thoughts on this and how do you think Baseball Associations around the world might join together to reinstate the sport in the 2012 Olympic games?

Yamamoto: The decision has already been made and the chance of reinstating Baseball and Softball within the 2012 Olympic games is virtually nonexistent. There will, however, be another vote in 2009 regarding the 2016 Olympics and I fear if we do not act quickly it is doubtful we will be able to see it reinstated by that time as well. Baseball is in fact starting to gain in popularity within many countries, however, to really make it into a truly global sport, the U.S. and Japan have to make a major effort to build interest in countries that have not traditionally played the game. In addition, in Olympic Soccer, professional players are allowed to participate within certain age limits. Baseball needs to work out some acceptable compromise as well.

De Bello: It is important that the American Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball share this perspective, as well as other Baseball World Federations. All parties must be aware of the negative effects this decision might bring and must work for a change in four years. For this reason, they must promote the practice of baseball all over the world. Our goal will also require more broadcasting of all future baseball events, hopefully changing the perspective of those who made the decision.

Nagase: Substantial attention is also being directed at this time to the upcoming World Baseball Classic, a tournament that will be played by 16 countries in the U.S. in March 2006. Interestingly, of these 16 countries, Nagase Kenko has been working with youth leagues in most of them. What are your thoughts on this initiative? How important is it and how will it affect the sport of international baseball moving forward?

Yamamoto: There are some technical problems in organizing a new tournament of this kind, however, the concept behind the WBC is a good idea, and over time it can be refined as necessary. The other key point, however, is that since this tournament is limited to 16 countries who enjoy long Baseball traditions, it is not likely to help expand the game to new markets, where interest is only emerging. For that reason, some of the profits generated through this tournament should be channeled back into education, training and promotional programs to introduce Baseball into markets such as Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere where the demographics are favorable and they should have an interest.

De Bello: The World Baseball Classic Set, (Torneo Clásico Mundial) focuses on America’s Major League Baseball because it has a significant amount of players originating from many different countries in the Americas. American baseball fans have long anticipated this ‘tournament’. Many expect this event will be very helpful in exemplifying to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) several points: A) The possibility of baseball’s best players participating at the Olympic Games. B) Anti-doping tests (for drugs and other forbidden substances) can be applied to players, ensuring a drug-free competition. C) The professional leagues and the International Baseball Federation can agree on rules established by the latter organization.

Nagase: Despite the increasingly international nature of baseball, most Americans are not really aware of the popularity of the sport beyond their own shores. Can you talk a little about this and how the IBAF, COPABE and other organizations are helping to raise the profile of baseball around the world?

De Bello: America’s perspective has been that baseball is only practiced in the hemisphere (Americas) and a few Asian countries. The popularity of the tournament supports this perspective. Later, the tournament gained popularity as other Asian and European countries participated. The teams from the Americas and East Asia demonstrated superior skills, discouraging other countries from participating. Furthermore, other countries simply were unaware or lacked information regarding the tournament. For these reasons, I consider changing perspectives toward this sport very important by means of demonstrating baseball in other countries and organizing ‘Tournaments’ among these countries, publicizing these events, especially to children around the world.

The promotion of the tournament should target children of 8 and older though the media such as radio, newspaper and television. This increased publicity will bring great benefits to this sport.

Nagase: Finally, baseball, at least in the U.S., has always been considered "America's Pastime" and a uniquely American sport and institution. Do you think that will always be the case? Or will it over time perhaps be a sport which has its roots in America, but which spreads out and grows into a truly "International Pastime" as well?

Yamamoto: I truly believe that Baseball can become an international sport and my idea is that events such as the WBC need to be expanded to younger divisions and more countries included to introduce children to the sport at a younger age.

De Bello: Baseball is favorite pastime of millions who live outside the US. Today, it is the #1 sport in many countries, particularly those in the Caribbean and East Asia. I think if we target the children, the number countries that will adopt baseball as their favorite sport will increase.

About Nagase Kenko Corporation:

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Nagase Kenko Corporation is a global, multi-line sporting goods company. In addition to its AirSafety and Universal Regulation baseballs, NKC markets a wide range of sporting good products and services through its Team Sports and Tennis, Sports Flooring and Gymnastics Equipment and International Sales and Marketing divisions.

Presently employing a staff of over 250 individuals, NKC maintains four Japanese manufacturing facilities and three regional sales offices in Osaka, Fukuoka and Hokkaido. It also maintains a growing network of agents, distributors and representatives who help to manage its international sales and marketing and promotional activities.

Website: http://www.kenkobaseball.com

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