A small country with big dreams
[Small Country, Big Dreams, Episode 4]”Prague Spring” and the Origins of Czech Baseball
The “Prague Spring” occurred in August 1968. 21 years later, the communist regime in Czechoslovakia collapsed. The seeds of baseball were introduced to the Czech Republic. (Photo: Ullstein Bild/Aflo)
Accountant Keisuke Saito (KPMG Azsa Audit Corporation) volunteers to join the practice of Tempo Prague, a powerful Czech baseball team, and gradually his presence is recognized. He realizes one of his dreams. This is also the beginning of a new story. (Text: Ryoichi Yazaki, Original Plan: Keisuke Saito)
Episode 1: “The WBC Czech national team captivated baseball fans around the world with their dual talents in both work and baseball, and an encounter with Shohei Ohtani, the origin of that success story.”
Episode 2: “I’m not done yet! The man who gave up on baseball, then continued to mess with it, until he jumped into the Czech baseball league”
Episode 3: “I want to join practice” – The reality faced by a Japanese man who joined the Czech baseball league
As his term in the Czech Republic drew to an end, one day after practice, Saito went to the manager’s room at the stadium and decided to talk to head coach Lubomir Tuchel directly.
“I want to be on the bench. I just want to be on the bench. And if possible, I want to be used in the game.”
I was desperately trying to convey my thoughts. However, I was also thinking that it might not work. I knew that I didn’t have the ability. Then, coach Tuchel gave me an unexpected answer.
“Of course it’s fine. Looking at you practicing, who do you think would object to you doing it? If there is anyone who does, I won’t forgive them.”
The manager, who always had a stern look on his face, spoke to Saito with a gentler expression that we had never seen before. Then, Chuchel continued:
“Unfortunately, it will be difficult for you as a player. However, you can register as a member of the coaching staff. From the next game onwards, you will be the coach of this team. You will officially be a part of the team.”
And so, the “Japanese errand boy” ended up on the bench as a coach in an official match of the Czech top league.
Coach Tuchel recognized Saito’s efforts (Photo: Keisuke Saito)
To the gallery page
2024-07-15 21:19:32
#baseball #popular #Czech #Republic #seeds #planted #parent #generation #combined #Cold #War #freedom #baseball.A #Small #Countrys #Big #Dreams #Part #4The #Prague #Spring #origins #Czech #baseball #JBpress
