This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Yakult took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 6th inning. Araki led off the bottom of the 6th with a base hit to right. After Ibata grounded out to starting pitcher Newman advancing the runner, Haru hit an RBI double to answer with one run. Fukudome flied out to center, unable to advance the runner. Then, when clean up man Gomez singled to left, Haru kicked third and headed to the plate. The throw from left to a blocking Furuta was in time to get Haru sliding into home.
But the slide hit Furuta's left knee hard. Many of you may remember Furuta missing some time at the end of last season as he nursed his, yes, left knee. Furuta said that he couldn't walk after the block and was immediately taken out of the game. While Furuta is to get complete tests done on his knee today (4/1 - and no, this isn't an April fool's joke), the Swallows' chief trainer says that it'll be at least a week before Furuta can get into a game. Furuta said, "It's taken half a year to recover... I'm greatly disappointed. But a catcher has got to block the plate."
Yakult fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery of their team captain. I just hope they don't rush him like they did at the end of last year, when a little rest could have reduced that 6 month recovery time.