Shane Barclay
Shane Barclay, Owner of Extra Innings, has worked in baseball for the entirety of his professional life. He has worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Arizona Fall League, the World Baseball Clasic, and MLB’s Office of the Commissioner in the Dominican Republic and New York City.
Staying Safe on Our Japan Tours
I find Japan to be clean and safe, and the people gracious. The risks of contracting an illness or becoming a victim of crime are relatively low. These are all reasons why Japan is a wonderful country to visit. However, it…
2025 Japan Tour Recap and Photo Log
Next Japan Tour: May 2026 Trip Details Days One and Two — May 8 & 9, 2025 Japan Tour Day 1: Our annual Japan tour is underway in Tokyo! A nice and relaxing start tonight as we had a grand welcome…
Costs, Currency, Credit Cards, and Tipping in South Korea
South Korea is an affordable country to travel in as a foreigner. While not as inexpensive as China or some countries in Southeast Asia, it is less expensive than Japan. On our last tour, I found it relatively easy to…
Stadium Bag Policies in South Korea
Policies on bags and prohibited items at KBO games in South Korea are looser than in the USA, but not as lenient as Japanese policies. Fans are permitted to bring one personal bag and one shopping bag. The personal bag…
South Korea Electricity and Power Outlets
The outlets in South Korea are Type C or Type F, with twin rounded prongs. You’ll recognize these if you’ve traveled in Europe. While many hotels these days have a more universal outlet setup, it’s best to assume you need…
Announcing Extra Innings Travel, the official travel operator of Japanball
Dear Fellow Baseball Fans, For over 25 years, JapanBall has connected baseball fans around the world with the Japanese game through our tours, media guide, website, online communities, and travel guide. The unifying power and global identity of baseball have…
2025 Okinawa Spring Training Tour Recap and Photo Log
Our 2025 Okinawa Spring Training Tour was an unforgettable kickoff to the baseball season! From visiting KBO and NPB camps—including the Fighters, Swallows, Giants, Dragons, and Carp—to exploring cultural landmarks like Hacksaw Ridge and Cape Manzamo, this trip was packed with baseball action and rich local experiences. Thanks, Okinawa—we can’t wait to return next year!
Stadium Bag Policies in Japan
Japanese bag policies are loose compared to US stadiums. In my experience, there are no restrictions on bag size or type, and professional cameras with big lenses are permitted. Stadium employees at the entrance will search your bag, but politely…
Costs, Currency, Credit Cards, and Tipping in Japan
Japan’s reputation as an expensive country is misleading. If you are looking to buy or rent a property in Tokyo, then yes, costs are among the highest in the world. And if you want to do some high-end dining or…
Japanese Electricity and Power Outlets
The outlets in Japan are Type A and are identical to North American two-prong outlets where each slot is the same size. Common phone chargers will work without any problem. However, if your plug has three prongs—or two prongs of…