Stephen Ellsesser - The Japan Times

May 04, 2024

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Stephen Ellsesser

For Stephen Ellsesser's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 14, 2006

USA edges Japan after call controversy

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The United States went from double trouble to double play in an instant, and Team Japan walked away puzzled and angry.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 13, 2006

Japan: Can it get ahead by getting even?

Is It Any Surprise to Be in Anaheim?: Not for the Japanese, although it may be a bit of a jolt to be heading to Disneyland as the No. 2 seed.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 13, 2006

Korea: Can magic book spot in semifinals?

Is It Any Surprise to Be in Anaheim?: Korea was quite clearly one of the top teams in Group A, as it went unbeaten against the perceived cream of the pitching crop against both Japan and Taiwan. Taiwan burned its two best pitchers against Korea to stay in the game, and the Koreans managed a pair of runs against the hurlers. Korea then helped to disrupt Mr. Steady, Shunsuke Watanabe, before shattering dominant reliever Hirotoshi Ishii's chance to slam the door as a setup man.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 13, 2006

USA: has humble pie fully digested?

Is It Any Surprise to Be in Anaheim?: Absolutely not. The United States had one of the most developed talent pools to draw from, and as such, the Americans certainly should be where they are, save possibly as a higher seed, depending on who you ask. In the eyes of some of Team USA's players, making it to Anaheim as the second seed is embarrassing enough, but if America's second-round play resembles that of a sleeping giant being roused, it will have been worth it, and they should have enough firepower to outgun any of the three teams they will play this week.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 13, 2006

New stars emerge to crank up the power for Japan

PHOENIX -- Several of Japan's center-stage stars haven't been the guys whose names were circled on programs heading into the World Baseball Classic, but after a weekend at Tokyo Dome, they are producing, no matter where they are in the order.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 13, 2006

Mexico: From surprise to stunner?

Is It Any Surprise to Be in Anaheim?: Frankly, if there is a surprise team playing in Anaheim, it certainly is Team Mexico. Many people expected Jason Bay, Matt Stairs and Team Canada to march into Round 2 along with the United States, especially after the Canucks nipped the Americans, but the Mexicans had other ideas, and no unanswered questions loomed after Mexico blazed through Team Canada. So maybe it is a surprise for Mexico to be playing still, but it certainly is no fluke.

SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE

Mar 13, 2006

Koreans hope semi spot enough for military release

PHOENIX -- Grab a uniform and do it for your country. Whether it is in the army or in the World Baseball Classic, several members of Team Korea will do just that soon enough. Or they will already have done both.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 12, 2006

Three homers not enough for Japan

PHOENIX -- Team Japan couldn't have done less with three home runs.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 11, 2006

Rangers whip Team Japan

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers should wear sunglasses, their future is so bright.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 6, 2006

Lee's homer lifts South Korea over Japan

Team Japan finally had to work a little bit, but it was up for the challenge. Until Lee Seung Yeop broke out of his slump against Japanese pitching, that is.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 5, 2006

Japan books WBC Round 2 berth

Hitoshi Tamura knew where the ball was going right after he swung.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 4, 2006

Japan pounds China

So much for shocking the world.

SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE

Mar 3, 2006

WBC is Japan's chance for international success

The Winter Warriors were a miracle away from leaving Turin empty-handed, but the Boys of Summer may just save the day in time for cherry blossom season.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 2, 2006

Team Japan cuts Giants down to size

The Yomiuri Giants couldn't find first base with a map and a guide Wednesday night at Tokyo Dome.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 1, 2006

Japan aiming for top spot in first round of World Baseball Classic

Make no bones about it. Japan more than plans to make it to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Mar 1, 2006

Giants thrash China in WBC exhibition

Tatsunori Hara and the Yomiuri Giants came home, but they still were visitors.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Feb 28, 2006

China finding role in WBC

Chinese baseball is a work in progress, and the World Baseball Classic is the next step for the developing international program.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Feb 27, 2006

Team Japan starts firing

FUKUOKA -- Team Japan finally got its offense going, sort of.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Feb 26, 2006

Carp ace Kuroda out of WBC

FUKUOKA -- Japan lost Hiroshima Carp ace Hiroki Kuroda for the World Baseball Classic after a finger injury sustained in Friday's 7-0 win over the NBP All-Stars.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Feb 26, 2006

Murata lifts All-Stars over Japan

FUKUOKA -- Daisuke Matsuzaka got in 67 pitches, and he'd give anything to get one of them back.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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