Japanese high school baseball players discourage the use of the World Baseball Classic star celebration
Lars Neutebarr broke out as an unlikely star for Team Japan in the World Classic Baseball His pepper grinder celebration was a huge hit with fans at the tournament.
However, any Japanese high school baseball game is looking forward to a simulation street. Louis Cardinals An outside player in their own games wouldn’t be able to. A Tohoku High School player twisted his hands in a motion similar to that of Nootbaar, and the referee ordered him to stop.
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A player from Tohoku High School points after he catches first base during their game against Yamanashi Gakuen High School at a stadium in Nishinomiya, Osaka, western Japan, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Kyodo News via Associated Press)
High school team manager Hiroshi Sato defended the player after Yamanashi Gakuen High School defeated his team.
“It is a very common thing that the whole nation is talking about,” Sato was quoted as saying by Japanese media. “Kids are just having fun. Why do adults have to put a stop to that?”
“We should think more about how kids can have the freedom of baseball.”
The Japan Baseball Association commented on the celebration as well.
TREA TURNER’S GRAND SLAMM CLASSIC TEAMS OF TEAM USA in baseball innings
Team fans point at Japan’s team goal against Italy in the World Baseball Classic, at a sports bar in Tokyo, Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Kyodo News via Associated Press)
The organization said, “We have long asked high school baseball to refrain from unnecessary displays and gestures. We understand players feeling the urge to have fun, but the union believes that fun should come from the game.”
Nootbaar’s pepper celebration was such a hit at the Five Japan matches at the Tokyo Dome that cameras would often catch Nootbaar’s teammates making the gesture as well.
Lars Neutebarr of the Japanese team gestures during a match against Australia on March 12, 2023 at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo. Nootbaar’s pepper mill gesture spread throughout Japan. (Kyodo News via Associated Press)
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Noteworthy is a member of the Cardinals and is the first to play for it Japan national team By virtue of proportions. His mother is Japanese.
368 with three RBI in five games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
