Carter Cromwell
Carter Cromwell is a former sportswriter for daily newspapers and later a corporate public relations professional. He works for an independent-league baseball team, writes baseball-related articles for various websites, and has contributed to several Society For American Baseball Research (SABR) projects. His other passions include family, world travel, and rescue dogs.
Henry Phan – Now a Baseball Fan!
That Henry Phan has been on four JapanBall trips in less than two years and has more planned might lead to the assumption that he’s been passionate about baseball for a long time. But that would be wrong. “I’m not…
Clay Breshears – A True “Veteran” of JapanBall!
As a JapanBaller, it’s fair to say that Clay Breshears has earned his stripes. More so than most. He began his odyssey in 2014 and now counts nine trips to Japan, a couple to various parts of the U.S. west coast,…
Francisco “Pachy” Castillo – JapanBall’s “Go-To Guy” in the Dominican Republic
Like many young men in the Dominican Republic, Francisco Castillo grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player. It didn’t work out, but he eventually found a way into the game. It’s a case of a dream dashed, but…
When at Koshien Stadium, Visit the History Museum, Babe Ruth Monument, Hanshin Tigers shrine, and More
Hanshin Koshien Stadium is 100 years old this year and still serves as the home for Japan’s second-oldest professional team, the Hanshin Tigers, as well as the two primary high school tournaments: the Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament each…
Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Japan through Baseball, Culture, and Friendship with Tom Russell
At first glance, Tom Russell’s motivation for joining a JapanBall tour seems pretty simple – “I like to travel and see baseball, and this lets me do both at the same time.” But a closer look reveals that it’s not really that…
Susan McCormac Finds a Niche in NYC with a Passion for Japanese Culture and Baseball
To this day, Susan McCormac will tell you she doesn’t like group tours. She says, “no, thanks,” to the rigidity, the tight structure, the feeling that no time is your own. But she has discovered that some group tours are…
A Love of Japan and People Make Amy Ross a JapanBall Favorite
Amy Ross’s first JapanBall tour proved to be much more than an ordinary vacation. “It was life-changing for me,” she says. “I got into a like-minded community and had a whole new world in front of me.” It was a…
Larry Lipsher: JapanBall’s “Most Interesting Man in the World”
Put simply, Larry Lipsher has led a full life. And continues to. Lipsher describes himself as a “full-time curmudgeon, long-time rice-counter, cynical stand-up comedian, and semi-retired author of the best bleeping tax books and essays you ever will find!” But…
JapanBaller Spotlight: Paul Barnes
Paul Barnes is clear about when his baseball traveling obsession revved up. Barnes, baseball fan extraordinaire, was home in Toronto one day in 2008 contemplating a quick trip to New York to see the Yankees and Mets play during their…
JapanBaller Spotlight: Bob Abels
To anyone who would call Bob Abels a baseball fan, Brian Fennessy says au contraire. “He’s not a fan,” Abels’s long-time friend says simply. “He’s a fanatic.” Fennessy has a point. Abels has traveled to Nicaragua, Panama, the Dominican Republic,…