A Little Leaguer In Japan

"Yessir."

Takahashi makes his players keep a running diary as a kind of self-evaluation. Joey wrote:

Nov. 19: I played pitcher. My arm was starting to hurt. When I played outfield, I made a cupple of mistakes.

Dec. 3: I lied. I did not fill in my diary.

Dec. 10: I lied. I did not fill in my diary.

Jan. 14: We must of ran about 15 miles.

Jan. 21: I learned to keep your I on the ball when you are hitting.

Feb. 25: I need to catch the ball.

Which is always sound advice for a young ballplayer to absorb.

"Does writing a diary help, Joey?" asks Steven.