America's pastime crossed the oceans over seventy years ago to change the international sports landscape. Founded in 1934, the Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club helped familiarize the Orient with the greatest game ever played. Two years later, the Japan Occupational Baseball League was formed to provide more competition on the diamond. The leagues later reorganized in 1950 to become the Nippon (Japan) Professional Baseball. 
     Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) consisted of two leagues, the Pacific League and the Central League. Both leagues are composed of six teams. Much like Major League Baseball, the season starts in late March or early April and ends in October. NPB hosts three all-star games in July. The teams play 140 games in a season. The NPB Champion is decided by the Nippon Series.

NPB facts:
DH rule - used in the Pacific League
Ties - If there is no winner after 12 innings, the game is declared a tie.
Strike zone - larger near the batter, but smaller away from the batter
Ball - slightly smaller & wound more tightly
Teams - named after corporate sponsors instead of host cities
Recent NPB Champion - Chunichi Dragons
Official website: npb.or.jp (japanese)