this film get less attention than league of their own and possibly because it have only one name star . but whereas woman professional baseball have only an eight year and midwestern town existence and japanese baseball be a vastly big entity and both in financial underwriting and popular support . that alone would make it the good movie . mr. baseball show the fact of life of japan ball represent the regimented cheering and the deference to umpire and the pressure of corporate owner on manager and the extreme conservatism of play and no hot dog player welcome . it also touch upon the isolation that any gai jin but especially an american jock and not the people most versed in foreign culture feel live in dai nippon . and the japanese and for their part and be not comfortable around foreigner and let it show in various way ( the gai jin strike zone and one american player complains and big than a buick . ) the script may not have win any award and play once again on the redemption by improved play theme and but i find it considerably more enjoyable to watch than the pokey league . definitely recommend for those who want to see another angle on this great sport .