Ken Tamaki leaves Fiji with a lasting baseball legacy and a hopeful path forward
After two-and-a-half years spent growing baseball in Fiji, Ken Tamaki, a coach from Okinawa, Japan, and a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer, returned home last Friday, August 22. His time in Fiji is remembered for discipline, joy, and a community of players whose lives he helped shape through the sport he loves.
Tamaki arrived in Fiji with a simple mission: strengthen the national team and broaden baseball’s reach in a rugby-dominated nation. He did not chase wins at all costs; instead, his focus was on developing people through baseball—building teamwork, effort, cooperation, discipline, and respect. He introduced more game-style practices to help players showcase their abilities and, despite initial resistance, he watched as many participants grew engaged and understood the rules through steady, daily practice.
For Tamaki, the proudest achievement isn’t a trophy but the joy of introducing many children to baseball. This pride was especially visible in the 15 athletes who represented Fiji at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau earlier this year. “They never gave up and played to the end, even in the toughest games,” he said, highlighting the resilience and spirit of Fiji’s players.
The experience was a two-way cultural exchange. Tamaki shared the Japanese ethos of punctuality and discipline, while learning from Fiji’s relaxed approach to time and the deep importance of family and friends. He noted that some of these cultural values—especially the emphasis on enjoying what you do—are essential to growth and should travel back with him to Japan as he continues his coaching career.
Tamaki’s philosophy extends beyond the diamond. He believes baseball builds human resources and personal growth, a message he hopes to carry into future coaching roles in Japan. As he looks to the sport’s future in Fiji, he also identifies practical hurdles that must be addressed to sustain progress, including the need for a properly sized dirt field to support consistent practice.
Looking ahead, Tamaki also urged ongoing, steady practice, broader participation, and internal competition within teams as essential drivers of growth. Although his contract with Fiji has ended, his connection to the country remains strong. He hopes to return someday and even to “create a job that involves Fiji.” His optimistic message for the local baseball community is clear: with continued effort, baseball in Fiji could become as popular as rugby, and there is hope for future matches against Japan—the world’s top-ranked baseball nation.
The Fiji Islands Baseball and Softball Association (FIBSA) publicly thanked JICA for its continued support and Tamaki’s invaluable service as a JICA volunteer coach in Fiji. His work with the men’s national team as they prepared for Palau, alongside grassroots programs and school outreach, has left a meaningful imprint on Fiji’s baseball culture.
What this means for Fiji baseball
– A lasting mentorship and a culture of discipline that children and aspiring players can emulate.
– A clearer pathway for combining youth development with international aspirations, including the Pacific Mini Games and beyond.
– A call to invest in basic infrastructure, notably a properly sized dirt field, to enable consistent practice and skill development.
– A potential for renewed collaboration with JICA and similar programs to sustain momentum and create ongoing coaching opportunities in Fiji.
A logical takeaway is that Tamaki’s approach—emphasizing enjoyment, teamwork, and personal growth—has resonated with Fijian players and communities. His journey demonstrates how international volunteer coaching can seed long-term growth in a sport that isn’t traditionally dominant in a region, while also fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect across borders.
Summary
Tamaki’s Fiji chapter was defined by dedication, cultural exchange, and a belief in baseball as a vehicle for character and community growth. His departure marks not an end but a foundation for future growth, with local stakeholders encouraged to build on his work, secure facilities, and keep the momentum alive so that Fiji may one day see baseball rise to the level of rugby on the island’s sporting landscape.
Additional note
If you’re exploring opportunities to support Fiji baseball, consider partnerships focused on field development, youth participation, and ongoing coaching exchanges. Sustained investment in infrastructure and mentorship could help transform the sport’s trajectory and broaden its appeal across Fiji.
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