Members of the Asahi Baseball team were local heroes in Vancouver.
The love for the game drew players and fans alike to the baseball
diamond at Powell grounds. The players won the hearts and respect
of the fans with their brilliant fielding, pitching and spectacular
base running. Despite the social inequality and economic hard times
players faced, on the diamond none were their equal. Wearing
an Asahi uniform and being part of this illustrious team was the
dream of every boy. December 1941 meant the end of the colourful
Asahi team, never to play again under the Asahi name.
Many years later the memories and achievements of this famed team were revived in the book, Asahi: A Legend in Baseball by Pat Adachi. Through the efforts of Pat Adachi and Frank Moritsugu, the Asahi Baseball Team was given its highest recognition by being induction into the Hall of Fame took place in June 2003. In 2005 the team was also honoured in the B.C. Baseball Hall of Fame.
Photo of the book by Pat Adachi
Vancouver Asahi at Shibaura Ground,
Japan, September 13, 1921.
(photo: Kitagawa family)
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