U.S.-based baseball equipment manufacturer Easton, one of the largest baseball brands in America, is making a foray into the Japanese market, the company announced earlier this week. Along with its products, Easton is bringing along some technology it hopes can help shape the future of youth baseball in Japan while also carving out a niche for itself.
Easton's Japan general manager, Dan Beamer, was among the executives on hand at a media event at the Tokyo Yakult Swallows' indoor facility this week. Easton is bringing its line of bats — the Japanese team that won the Little League World Series in 2015 used Easton bats — and other products to Japan and will also offer products specific to the Japanese market.
"Before, Easton had never made products specifically for this market," Beamer said.