[The good folks with the Consolidated Public Affairs Office for the USMC in Okinawa were kind enough to send this article about making friends with ball players here in Japan. No matter what you may think of the current world situation, I think it carries a positive message.]

Story and photo by Sgt. John Sayas

Building Friendships

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CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan -- In the United States, a baseball fan's desire to meet their favorite Major League Baseball players is not always easy. To get an autograph from "big name" players like Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter or Ken Griffey, Jr., fans might have to fight through hordes of people.

For fans of the Nippon Professional Baseball League, it is equally hard to meet their favorite players.

But for Lt. Col. Brent A. Norris, assistant chief of staff, Comptroller, 3rd Force Service Support Group, getting an autograph is no big deal because he knows some of the players firsthand.

Norris has always been a big baseball fan, and since he grew up in Lexington, Ky., he became a Cincinnati Reds fan. That love for baseball followed him here, and eventually took him to a spring training game here in Okinawa. His only introduction to Japanese baseball at the time was through a movie called "Mr. Baseball" which featured the Chunichi Dragons.

"I love the game. Baseball has always been my favorite sport so I certainly love catching a good baseball game," Norris said.

Lt. Col. Brent A. Norris, assistant chief of staff, Comptroller, 3rd Force Service Support Group, chats with Alex Ramirez, outfielder for the Yakult Swallows, during a spring training game at Urasoe City Athletic Park Feb. 22. Norris has developed a friendship with Ramirez since meeting him in 2001. Photo by Sgt. John Sayas

Norris, who began his tour here in 1998, initially didn't follow any particular team until he met Yakult Swallows' outfielder Alex Ramirez during one of the team's spring training sessions on Okinawa two years ago.

As an ordinary baseball fan in the stands, Norris and his two children were watching players as they warmed up when Ramirez, a former player of the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates, looked up at the stands and gestured at the crowd.

"He looked up at us and waved to us," Norris recalled. "My daughter asked who that was, and I said I think it's Alex Ramirez. He waved to us and said how are you doing, and we just started talking."

Later that day after the game, Norris and Ramirez met again when Yakult Swallows players visited the base to get a taste of Marine life. Norris was one of the Marines hosting the players when they visited, and immediately recognized Ramirez from their earlier conversation in the stands.

Eventually, Norris invited Ramirez to his home for dinner.

"We struck up a conversation and have developed a relationship ever since," Norris said.

Ramirez doesn't know too much about the military, but has developed a good friendship with the Norris family while learning more about each other's lives.

This year was their third time meeting at the Norris' home. During his latest visit, Ramirez brought his wife, Liz, and two international players, Kevin Hodges and Todd Betts, to enjoy the occasion. Hodges, a Houston native, is a former Seattle Mariners pitcher and Betts, a Toronto, Canada native, is beginning his first season after playing in the minor leagues the last few years.

"It's a neat thing for me," Norris said. "Any time he is here, and wants to unwind, he has a place to stay."

Although the two have different careers, they have shared a lot in common. Their careers sometimes take them away from their families, and have taken them to many places far from home.

One thing the players have realized is that one cannot do without the other as baseball provides the entertainment for the millions of fans around the world, while the military fights for the freedoms and liberty that America has today.
"Baseball is just a game," said Ramirez, who is a Miranda, Venezuela native who came to the Yakult Swallows in search of expanding his career opportunities.

Commenting on the thought of war and the service that the military provided to the U.S. he said, "You sometimes don't know when you are coming back -- it is not a game."