Extra Innings: Gabe Lerman — Writing the Playbook for Japanese Baseball Travel Adventures

The Baseball Bucket List Podcast

In this episode of Extra Innings on the Baseball Bucket List Podcast, we reconnect with Gabe Lerman, a Blue Jays fan and Japanese baseball aficionado from Toronto. Gabe recently authored The JapanBall Travel Guide to Japanese Baseball, a comprehensive resource for planning your own baseball adventures in Japan. We dive into his motivation for creating the guide, his 2019 trip that sparked the idea, and how it bridges the gap between full-service tours and independent travel.
Gabe shares an in-depth look at Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), breaking down its history, league structure, postseason format, and the rich traditions that make Japanese baseball unique. He also highlights key storylines, such as the rise of players like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, and what makes Japan’s baseball culture so captivating.
Whether you’re dreaming of a trip to Japan, curious about NPB, or simply love hearing baseball stories from around the world, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and practical advice for every fan.
Purchase The JapanBall Travel Guide to Japanese Baseball on the JapanBall website or Amazon.
Find the full transcript and show notes here: https://baseballbucketlist.com/podcast/extra-innings-gabe-lerman/
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