ABSTRACT

The Nisei, second generation Japanese American, Baseball League exhibit has earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. The development of Nisei baseball was highlighted by opportunities to play with established baseball stars and to travel within the United States as well as internationally. George Omachi said, The baseball experience was one of those elements that allowed me to develop as a person and an individual, plus it gave me opportunities. After World War II, the Nisei baseball teams enjoyed continued success. The two played baseball together at the internment camp's Zenimura Field, named after Kenso, whose family organized and built it. On behalf of the Nisei Baseball Research Project (NBRP), which the author directs, he presented Governor Thomas with an autographed, tribute baseball and a NBRP T-shirt. Very emotionally, Pat said the Gila River Indian community was not responsible for the internment of Japanese Americans; instead, the encampments were forced upon Indian lands.