David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it.

“My research was I Googled stuff… but nothing prepares you for how they play.”

From Tom Selleck’s 1992 masterpiece to the reality of all-dirt spring training fields, this is what actually happens when preparation meets Japanese baseball. Featuring David’s Mr. Baseball moments, the Seibu Lions’ daily preparation emails, and why foreign players will never be asked to bunt.

“I’m guilty of watching Mr. Baseball and thinking I was going to be fully prepared for what’s to come. But it did definitely prepare me for some things that I would not have been prepared for.”

The lifestyle changes, train transfers, and teammate revelations that no movie could prepare you for.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✓ David’s “research” method: Google + Mr. Baseball = prepared?

✓ The 24-hour signing chaos that changed everything

✓ Mr. Baseball moments vs. Japanese baseball reality

✓ All-dirt training fields and team warmups Tom Selleck missed

✓ Why the lifestyle change is harder than the baseball change

✓ What David wishes he’d known before crossing the Pacific