Local Author Book Talk: Behind the Scenes of Japanese Baseball with Rob Fitts

On September 10, award-winning author Robert K. Fitts of Riverdale will talk about baseball in Japan and his new book In the Japanese Ballpark. After providing an overview designed to acquaint new fans with Japanese baseball, Fitts will give a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Japanese baseball unique—and so much fun. He will talk about the differences between American and Japanese baseball both on the diamond and in the stands.  Come hear about life as a player in Japan, cheering groups, fuzzy mascots, and beer girls.

A book signing will follow the talk.

About the Author:

Robert Fitts has published eleven books and numerous articles on the history of baseball in Japan and Japanese baseball cards. He received his Ph.d. in historical archaeology from Brown University and ran excavations in New York City before turning to baseball history. He is the founder and chair of the Society of American Baseball Research’s Asian Baseball Committee and recently received the society’s Chadwick Award for lifetime contributions to baseball history. He was recently a curatorial consultant for the Yakyu-Baseball exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development in partnership with the City Council. The Kingsbridge Historical Society’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.