Was Japan Trip a Good Idea?

[soxfan17881]

Up until today, I was on the fence about the Sox starting in Japan. There are all the reasons that you hear about all over the media (jet lag, early start, real games sandwiched between exhibition games, the lousy April records of previous Japan visitors). Now today, I'm watching the video on MLB.com (Workout Day at the Dome) and I hear them mention, very much off the cuff, that the Japanese baseball is smaller than the MLB version and that the Sox and A's will be using that smaller ball in their real games. Is is just me or is this not a good thing. Aside from affecting the outcome of those two games, might it have any affect on things for days to come (i.e. hitters timing, pitcher's release points. etc.) Why would they be using the smaller ball for the actual season games? I can see if they want to use them for the exhibition games, but not the real one.

 

Am I concerned about nothing? What does all this mean for an April where we are already starting a bit behind? (i.e. Schilling, Beckett's back, Timlin's hand)

[Cocos Disciples]

Only time will tell...

[26 to 6]

The balls are slightly smaller, barely. It does not make sense to me though to not use the MLB balls in the regular season games. I believe when the Yanks were there in 2004 they used Japanese balls in the exhibitions and MLB balls in the games against the Rays. Wierd..