SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Tony Barnette was the No. 6 starter for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2010. His first start was against the Yokohama Bay Sox.
"It was a jarring experience," Barnette said. "The stands were packed, people were chanting, horns blowing, drums beating from first pitch until they turn out the lights. … It hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought, 'This is intense.' It was like a playoff atmosphere, and it was just game six of the season."
Barnette responded with seven hitless innings, earning the win in the Swallows' 1-0 victory.