While most Japanese teams headed south to begin "spring" camp and ride out the final few weeks of winter, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters took a distinctly different track and flew west instead.
The Fighters touched down in the United States late last week to get ready for their first spring camp outside Japan in 29 years. The Pacific League club has set up shop in Peoria, Arizona, the spring training base for MLB's San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
"It's really exciting to be in this environment," manager Hideki Kuriyama told Nikkan Sports after inspecting the Padres' facilities last week. "This is a really good place. I want to enjoy each day here."