Nisei Baseball Symposium & Book Signing

If you are in the Central California area, please join us for the Nisei Baseball Symposium, a panel discussion of Japanese American baseball experts, which will now be part of my next book signing at the UJCC Church on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.

Included in the panel discussion are Nisei Baseball legends Fibber Hirayama and Howard Zenimura; former Fresno Bee sportswriter Bruce Farris; and author, filmmaker and baseball historian Kerry Yo Nakagawa. Both Kerry and I serve on the board of the Nisei Baseball Research Project.

It promises to be a great event. Hope to see you there. ~ Bill

WHEN:
Saturday, October 15, 2011
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

WHERE:
United Japanese Christian Church
136 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 | MAP
Phone: 559-322-0701

California Book Signing For "Kenichi Zenimura, Japanese Baseball Pioneer"

The family and I are headed to the Fresno area for a couple book events and a California adventure. If you are in the area, please join us for the following dates:

WHEN:
Sunday, October 9, 2011
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Saturday, October 15, 2011
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

WHERE:
United Japanese Christian Church
136 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612 | MAP
Phone: 559-322-0701

DETAILS:
I will be in the Fresno area for a book reading, sale and signing of "Kenich Zenimura, Japanese American Baseball Pioneer." Joining me are special guests, Nisei Baseball Legends Kenso “Howard” Zenimura (below, left) and Satoshi “Fibber” Hirayama (below, right). Attendees will be able to purchase the book at the special event price of $25 (normally priced at $40).

Don Wakamatsu Honored at JACL Gala

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation's oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, held its Gala, "A Salute to Champions" in Washington, D.C. on September 29, 2011. This year's Gala awarded Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics. This year the JACL honored: 

• Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa
• Cappy Harada, American-Japan baseball relations ambassador (awarded posthumously)
• Don Wakamatsu, the first Asian American manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) history
• Wat Misaka, the first person of color to be drafted to the National Basketball Association

My family and I felt truly welcomed at our first National JACL event. Don Wakamatsu (photo below, left)was kind enough to take time out of the evening to sign our Kenichi Zenimura bio for those who bought the book that night. Also, my son Josh, who prefers basketball to baseball, enjoyed getting to meet the NBA pioneer Wat Misaka (photo below, right). And as a board member of the Nisei Baseball Research Project (and baseball fan), I also enjoyed the tribute to Cappy Harada. Truly one of the great Nisei pioneers.