A new month meant a new city for Team Australia, as they began their day by farewelling Fuchu City and moving to Nagoya.
Norio Takano, the mayor of Fuchu City was on hand to farewell Team Australia at their hotel in downtown Fuchu, and was delighted by the team’s presence in the city over the last few days.
“We have been honoured to host Australia on their first pre-tournament camp in Fuchu City.”
“This marks the start of a long and prosperous relationship between Fuchu City and Baseball Australia, and I look forward to welcoming the Australian team back to Fuchu very soon.”
Thankyou Fuchu! What incredible and gracious hosts
Next stop: Nagoya! #2020OurJourney pic.twitter.com/g7HeIUeMpe
After departing the team hotel in Fuchu, the Australian team made their way to Tokyo Station and embarked on the famed bullet train (shinkansen).
Speaking after his first ever bullet train experience, Perth young gun Robbie Glendinning took everything in.
"It went really fast but it didn't feel like you were moving at all - it was so smooth."
Despite a gloomy start to the morning, the weather cleared up remarkably, giving the team an unobstructed view of the might of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain.
The team checked in to the Nagoya Kanko Hotel - a beautiful hotel nestled in downtown Nagoya, where they dropped their bags, grabbed a bite to eat then returned to the bus to be transferred to practice.
Practice took place at the Chunichi Dragons’ (Japanese Pro Team) indoor facility, which consisted of a full size infield, five hitting tunnels, six bullpen mounds as well as changerooms, a gym and meeting rooms.
It was undoubtedly one of the most incredible facilities the team had encountered, with pitcher Sam Holland taken aback by the sheer size of the venue.
“The size of it is the first thing that catches your attention, it’s almost a full field indoors.”
Team Australia manager Steve Fish proved popular with the Japanese media, while Australian legend Micheal Nakamura also was the subject of a number of media requests.
Nakamura won two titles with Japanese professional team Nippon Ham Fighters, and is a household name among Japanese baseball faithful.
The team then returned to the hotel for dinner, and some much needed rest as the first game against Japan draws ever closer.
Stay tuned to Team Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates as #2020OurJourney continues tomorrow in Nagoya!