Travis Blaine ‘09 
It’s has been an honor to be guests of Waseda University and play Japan’s most competitive college baseball players, and a childhood dream come true to play in professional stadiums in front of thousand of fans.  It’s all surreal.

Chris Bloszies ‘08
Being able to say that our baseball program sparked such a universal Japanese passion for baseball has been a distinct honor.  Seeing the vigor and national interest in baseball on the part of Japan has made me very proud of being a part of such a fruitful and hopefully continuing relationship between the University of Chicago and Waseda.  I am so thankful for having is opportunity.

Jonathan Chua ‘11 
The trip to Japan has been amazing.  They have an incredibly interesting culture that I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience.  Watching the difference in how baseball is played there is also very interesting.  This has been a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.

Nick Fazzari ‘08
Being able to converse with the Waseda players, using little English, and realizing that we have more in common that just baseball, was the cultural experience of a lifetime.

Alex Gallan 09
This opportunity to travel to Japan has transcended the amazing baseball experience we all expected and allowed us to gain extensive insight into the local lifestyle and culture that will remain close to our hearts for the rest of our lives.

Alex Garbier’10
One day I will be able to look bask with clarity and understand this trip as a whole and wrap it up in a couple sentences.  However, right now each day unfolds as a rush of culture, foods, sights and baseball; every moment is more exciting the last.  The baseball alone has been one of the most unique and special events I have ever been a part of, - playing in major league stadiums against the best talent in Japanese college baseball.  The trains, cities and cross culture interactions just add to make this a once in a lifetime trip.

Nate Ginsberg ‘08
From the level of play of the Waseda team, to the power of centuries-old temples in Kyoto, to the friendly and respectful reception we’ve gotten, every part of this trip has been impressive.  I think this will bring our team closer together for the rest of our lives.

Tony Gonzalez ‘09 
I feel incredibly privileged to have had this opportunity and ever more impressed by the collective efforts of everyone who has devoted himself to making this an amazing experience.  I loved playing before the crowd in Hiroshima and playing on the same field as the Waseda Baseball Club.  They are a great group of young men, and it was an honor to play them.  I hope that others will be able to experience a trip of this kind in the future, and I will always feel connected to this amazing cultural tradition.  (There is nothing as beautiful as Waseda’s infield warm-up.)

Scott Hofer ‘09
This trip has really taught me the importance of the Waseda – Chicago relationship.  It is crazy to think that about 100 years ago our two institutions played baseball against each other, and that the tradition will continue.  The Waseda program has obviously utilized its baseball experiences in the United States to become a baseball powerhouse, and I hope we can learn a lot from them.  The Chicago – Waseda relationship must continue.

Kevin Holzbog ‘11
It’s not everyday that a group of guys gets the opportunity to experience another culture and get to play the game of baseball which they love so much at the same time.  I can honestly say that the Japanese culture we have been exposed to is worthy of our respect, and I know I speak for all the team when I say we are thankful.

Michael Jackson ‘10
So far, this has been a humbling experience.  Getting to chance to understand the Japanese culture firsthand from its players, spectators, and local throughout the cities that we’ve played in has been amazing and is a learning experience that I will always remember.  The Japanese are classy individuals and I would’t think twice to visit again.

John Kozlar ‘11
This trip to Japan will stay with me for the rest of my life.  I will be able to tell my children and my friends all about my experience, and the fact that I was able to compete against the greatest team that Japan had to offer.  Being a part of this long history between our two universities has enabled me to truly respect the Japanese culture and has created a special place in my heart.

Will Lamb ‘10
I am simply amazed by everything here in Japan.  The cities, the stadiums, the level of talent, the hospitality; Waseda has offered us the experience of a lifetime and I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of it.  Thank you, Waseda, thank you Japan. 

Payton Leonhardt ‘09
This trip has been the opportunity of a lifetime.  It’s more than just the game played between the bases but the cultural exchange that extends far more than we ever imagined.

Dan McConologue ‘11
I feel lucky and privileged to find myself within a culture that is so accepting and willing to embrace us as visitors to their country.  The Waseda Baseball Team is probably the classics and opponent that I have ever faced, and I can definitely say that I have learned many things from these people on a cultural exchange of this common interest we share with the sport of baseball.  It’s incredible.

Dominik Meyer ‘08
I had some worries coming into this trip; how would we interact with the players, how would our style of baseball translate to the Japanese style, how would we be treated by the Waseda fans?  All of these were immediately removed from my mind as everyone, from coaches to players to fans have been as accommodating and welcoming as possible.  This is an experience which both on and off the field, will remain dear to each and every on of us for a long time to come.

Mike Morgan ‘08
I have been extremely impressed with the Japanese culture, particularly the generosity and self-giving displayed by those with whom we have been able to interact.  While the baseball portion of the experience has been unforgettable, it is the unique opportunity to learn about Japan and its people that I will remember most.

Ben Nordstrom ‘10
Being able to experience an entirely different culture and play baseball here is something I will always cherish.  I have never played in more exciting games that the ones here.  The people here are extremely polite and respectful.  This invaluable experience is something I hope others in the future will be able to have and I hope our trip strengthens the friendship between the two universities, on and off the field.

Marshall Oium ‘11
Traveling to Japan and competing against one of the best college baseball teams in the world is an experience I will never forget.

Jordan Onulak ‘08
The trip has provided opportunities that would otherwise be impossible to experience.  The most unbelievable one was playing in front of 13,000 fans in Hiroshima.

Zack Osman ‘11
This trip has been the most amazing experience I’ve ever had.  The Japanese culture is so interesting; with old and new customs blending together to create a traditional yet modern, society.

Joseph Pankow ‘10
The most exciting part of the trip was experiencing the excitement of playing in a huge dome and experiencing the Japanese culture and lifestyle.  Kyoto was a beautiful city.

Kyle Schmitt ‘09
Playing in professional stadiums has been great.  The Japanese food is excellent.  The cities, hotels, and trains are impressive, but the Japanese culture and the people have been the greatest part of the trip.  Their politeness ought to be envied; their graciousness and hospitality is unrivaled; their quiet and respectful nature makes their company incredibly pleasant.  As Americans, we are incredibly lucky to be able to come to Japan and be admired, not for our merit, but just because we are foreign, interesting, and unique.  The cultural fascination that is mutually exchanged by both our team and the Japanese people has made this trip unforgettable; a precious learning experience.

Mike Serio ‘08
It was amazing to play in the stadiums we played in and to see that the fans were basically treating us like we were professional baseball players.  It was also a great experience to meet the Waseda players who were so generous and well – mannered on top of being the best baseball team I have ever played against.

Rob Serpico ‘10
To play in professional stadiums and against the best college team in Japan has been more than just an amazing experience; it has also been quite the learning experience. I have been impressed by the level of play that we have seen from Waseda.  I am also impressed by the people of Japan and their culture – they are very polite and respectful.