MLB: How to save the future of US-China relations
With China’s growing international power, tensions with the United States are at an all-time high. With neither side willing to work with the other, there is one thing that can save diplomatic relations between the two superpowers: MLB.
Baseball has defined American culture since its creation in the late 1800s. While it is known as “America’s pastime,” baseball’s influence has expanded internationally. Players from all over the world have reached the MLB, and the sport continues to reach new nations every year.
Little League Baseball has long strived to spread the love of the game to every corner of the Earth. Now, more than 80 countries have little league programs that compete for a chance to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
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The MLB has also made a concerted effort to expand baseball’s borders. Since 1996, MLB teams have played games in Japan, London, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Australia. They have worked together with Little League to spread their brand to the world’s youth as well.
Asia has become one of the parts of the world where baseball has excelled the most. Nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have some of the most competitive professional leagues outside of the MLB. As the years go on, these leagues only become more competitive. As a result, many Asian superstars have signed with MLB teams, a trend that started when Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, players like Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Shohei Ohtani have excelled in the MLB.
Simultaneously, Americans and others with professional aspirations will go overseas to establish themselves. Nationals outfielder Eric Thames is a great of someone who established himself in Japan before finding success in the MLB.
Thus, it is evident that baseball has become a vehicle for cultural exchange between the US and these Asianic countries. Not only do Americans understand and accept their cultures, but diplomatic relations have also been friendly and peaceful.
However, there is a noticeable lack of baseball in the biggest Asian country: China. The United States and China have had a long, fractured relationship. It is one that started with curiosity, then turned exploitative, and now is dangerously competitive. The two countries are the world’s biggest economic power, but they share nothing in common in terms of cultural and political values.
It is almost certain that the US and China will never see eye to eye politically, but that doesn’t mean baseball can’t serve as the catalyst for a new wave of cultural exchange between the two nations. As a result, history suggests that sports have a way to bring people together in ways that can positively affect diplomatic relations.
Here are a few reasons why.