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 and other sports as vehicles 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.
We prefer to let sports be our guiding light to immersing ourselves in new cultures and creating 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 game tickets to arranging transportation and planning sightseeing, we handle every detail so you don’t have to. Your job is to relax and focus on enjoying the games, the destinations, and the journey.
Community
We’ve found that most guests initially travel with us for help with logistics and planning, but they keep coming back for the relationships built along the way with guides, locals they meet, 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 sports trip. While sports are 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 unparalleled 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.
Our Team
Who We Are
Shane Barclay
Founder & President
Santa Cruz, California
Motivated by the release of the book Moneyball and the acceptance that he would never become a big-league third baseman, Shane pursued a career in baseball starting in high school. A semester abroad in the Dominican Republic while at Cal Berkeley inspired him to focus on the international side of the game. Shane previously worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Arizona Fall League, and in International Baseball Operations at MLB’s Offices of the Commissioner in both the D.R. and New York City. He still works as a consultant for MLB, focusing on the World Baseball Classic.
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.
Takumi “Fuji” Fujitsuka
Tour Guide & Japanese Baseball Correspondent
Otsu, Japan
Affectionately known to our guests as “Fuji,” Takumi is our primary tour guide in Japan. He is also a scout and translator for the Kagawa Olive Guyners of the professional independent Shikoku Island League in Japan and played college baseball and soccer in the U.S.A. Originally from Nara, Fuji now lives in the capital city of the Shiga prefecture, just outside Kyoto.
Chihiro Hasegawa
Tour Guide
Mie, Japan
Chihiro is a former elite softball player who 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. After graduation, she played professionally for four years in the Japan Diamond (JD) Softball League for Hitachi. After retiring as a player, she studied and coached abroad in Vancouver to learn English. She eventually returned to Hitachi to support the team as an English interpreter and staff member for two years.
Danny Hudson
Team Travel Specialist
Centennial, Colorado
Danny is a Physical Education teacher, golf coach, and baseball coach who initially moved to Yamagata as part of the Japanese government’s JET program and then worked at Apple Japan in Tokyo and taught at a private 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 both now 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 & Digital Content Creator
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.