Since 1999, we have been crafting unforgettable international sports tours, first through our sister brand, JapanBall, and now via Extra Innings Travel. Born from the growing demand from curious and passionate fans like you to attend and play games around the world, we aim to use baseball as a vehicle to create memorable, fulfilling, and enlightening life experiences. If you traveled with JapanBall before, you will recognize the same friendly faces and welcoming, trustworthy, and professional service. If you are new to either of our brands but share our love of sports and sense of adventure, welcome to the family.
Baseball is our first love and remains our specialty. But we believe in the global and unifying aspects of all sports and that attending – or playing in – a sporting event is the best way to experience a new place. Why? Because the locals are open and welcoming, the food and drink are cultural staples, and the familiar playing field is the perfect canvas to experience the unfamiliar. Plus, sports venues offer a unique blend of accessibility and off-the-beaten-path charm.
Like Anthony Bourdain did with food, we prefer to let baseball be our guiding light as we immerse ourselves in new cultures and create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Traveling with us means you will gain new perspectives and appreciation, make lifelong friends, and check off bucket-list-worthy sporting experiences. Trust us to handle the planning and logistics so you can focus on making memories that last a lifetime – on and off the field.
Unforgettable Locations
Our destinations are carefully chosen for their rich sports scene, world-class sightseeing, tasty food and drink, and welcoming people.
Incredible Team
Our friendly guides are sports fanatics themselves. They’re also experts in navigating our tour locations, speaking the local language, and ensuring each guest’s needs are met.
Low Stress Travel
From securing accommodations and tickets to arranging transportation and sightseeing, we handle every detail so you don’t have to. Your job is to relax and focus on enjoying the games and the journey.
Community
Most guests initially travel with us for help with logistics and planning, but they come back for the relationships built along the way with guides, locals, and fellow, like-minded guests.
The Extra Innings Travel Difference
What makes us the premier provider of international sports travel? It’s our dedication to creating more than just a sports trip. While baseball is at the heart of what we do, our trips extend well beyond the playing field. You’ll immerse yourself in the local culture, savoring delicious cuisine, exploring beautiful sights, connecting with the people who make each destination special, and making lifetime memories.
We also pride ourselves on offering comprehensive support. Our on-the-ground team is there every step of the way, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Whether it’s navigating the city, finding the best local spots, or answering your questions, we’re here to help and take care of every little thing.
Our Team
Who We Are
Shane Barclay – Founder & President
Santa Cruz, California
Finally accepting that he would not be an MLB player like his heroes Brooks Robinson and Ken Caminiti, and inspired by the book Moneyball, Shane instead pursued a career working in baseball. A semester abroad in the Dominican Republic while at Cal Berkeley and impactful team trips to Japan and China led him to specialize on the global side of the game.
After eight years working in International Baseball Operations at MLB’s offices in the D.R. and New York City, he and his wife, Jessie, moved home to California. Inspired by his travel muses Anthony Bourdain and Rick Steves, Shane left MLB full-time, earned certification as a Japan Travel Specialist from the Japanese Government’s National Tourism Organization, and focused on the work he loves the most – traveling the world with baseball as a guiding light.
Shane also previously worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Fall League. He continues to work as an MLB consultant for the World Baseball Classic, and is the owner of JapanBall, the leader in English-language Japanese baseball coverage. He and Jessie live with their son (Brooks), daughter (Luna), and dog (Maggie).
Francisco “Pachy” Castillo
Tour Guide
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pachy grew up in the working-class Santo Domingo neighborhood of Pantoja and was quite the outfielder, earning contract offers from MLB teams before deciding to play college ball in the U.S. He now owns his own grout company and still lives in Pantoja with his wife (Laly), daughter (Sara), and son (Isaac). Read our full profile of Pachy.
Anna DiTommaso
Digital Designer & Web Developer
Dallas, Texas
Anna is a lifelong baseball fan and devoted Tampa Bay Rays supporter who has visited all 30 MLB ballparks and traveled on two Extra Innings tours. She is the creator of Baseball Bucket List and host of the Baseball Bucket List podcast, where fans share how they became fans of the game and why baseball matters to them.
Chihiro Hasegawa
Baseball/Softball Team Liaison & Tour Guide
Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Chihiro played on Japan’s national softball team, winning the East Asian Games three times. She earned “Best Nine” honors at Suzuka International University while earning a degree in International Studies. She played professionally for four years in the Japan Diamond (JD) Softball League for Hitachi and then coached abroad in Vancouver. She later returned to Hitachi as an English interpreter and staff member for two years before being hired by the JD League as its Social Media Manager.
Danny Hudson
Play Abroad Specialist
Centennial, Colorado
Danny is a Physical Education teacher, golf coach, and baseball coach who moved to Yamagata as part of the Japanese government’s JET program, then worked at Apple Japan in Tokyo, and later taught at an English school in Nagano. He participated in the “Semester at Sea” study abroad college program and has a master’s degree in Asian Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco. He and his wife, Yuko, have two sons who are classical musicians.
Daesung “Diego” Jung
Tour Guide & Korean Baseball Consultant
Seoul, South Korea
Daesung is the owner of Diego Baseball, a South-Korea-based global baseball research, analytics, and training company. His YouTube channel is one of the leading baseball platforms in Korea. He founded Diego Baseball after working as an analyst for the KBO league office and Lotte Giants.
Yuri Karasawa
NPB Correspondent and Tour Guide
Chiba, Japan
Yuri Karasawa launched Yakyu Cosmpolitan in 2021 and it immediately became a must-follow resource for global baseball fans and professionals due to its engaging content and unparalleled insights. Yuri graduated from Temple University in 2024 with a degree in Asian Studies and currently writes for Japan Forward and World Baseball Network.
Ryan Neighbours
Tour & Business Operations Specialist
Tampa, Florida
Ryan is a baseball fanatic and avid traveler who graduated from the University of South Florida in 2020. He has prior experience with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and other roles in the Sports & Entertainment industry. He is currently traveling internationally to experience the world and aims to assist Extra Innings Travel with creating amazing international baseball memories for others.
Trevor Raichura
Tour Guide & NPB Consultant
Nishinomiya, Japan
Trevor is originally from Winnipeg and is our long-time source for NPB expertise. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, he moved to Japan in 1998 and has lived in Okinawa, Hokkaido, and the Kansai region. He earned JLPT N1 Japanese language certification in 2010 and founded Hanshin Tigers English News in 2014. Now based in Hyogo with his wife, Yumi, and their two sons, Trevor teaches English at regional universities. To learn more about Trevor and his story, check out this video.