East met West.

Two teams, two vastly different cultures, but one big thing in common: Baseball at Pullman Park Wednesday night in the 2009 Friendship Series.

A Pony League team from Japan squared off against a Pony team from North Allegheny that included five players from Butler.

The outcome of the game was hardly the point, although Japan scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning for a 5-4 win.

The night was more about sharing the common language of baseball.

"This is the first time most of these kids have been to the States," said business manager Yoshihito Okuyama, who is the president of the Hokkaido Pony League Baseball Association. He also served as translator for the 20 Japanese players on the team.

Before the game, players from both teams exchanged gifts.

A Japanese flag was hung on the left side of the 425-foot sign on the center-field wall at Pullman Park. The American flag was on the right.

Both national anthems were played before the first pitch.

After the game, players lined up, bumped fists and bowed.

The Friendship Series has been around for 35 years. The nations travel to the other country in alternating years.

North Allegheny manager John Evans has been involved in the Friendship Series for four years. He has made two trips to Japan.

But there was nothing like the first trip for Evans and his team.

"The first time they go to Japan, it is a magical experience," Evans said. "They feel like rock stars."

So when Japan comes to the United States, Evans said he wants to return the favor.

But competing with Japan in affability is just as difficult as competing with them on the diamond.

"The Japanese invented hospitality," Evans said. "So, when people who go come back, they are enthused and want to ramp up our own effort."

Playing at Pullman Park was part of that. Two years ago, the Friendship Series was held at PNC Park.

"This is on a par with PNC Park, in regard to playing surface and hospitality," Evans said.

Japan started their U.S. tour in Texas before coming to Butler. In two days, the team will conclude its 10-day trip in Washington D.C.

"We've been to several states and each one has a different culture," Okuyama said.

Texas, Okuyama said, is much different from Western Pennsylvania.

"In Texas, we learned about cowboys," he said, laughing. "It's more wild, wild West. Here, it's more Europe style.

"The baseball is different, too. Everyone has a different approach. It's useful to us."

The highlight of the trip so far for many of the Japanese players was a trip to Six Flags and its unique roller coasters.

The other draw was taking in the eclectic U.S. pop culture.

Kohei Kato, a 15-year-old second baseman from just outside Tokyo, said it was a thrill to see the United States.

"We are all very excited," he said through Okuyama. "We've all had a great time."

Kato looks up to Ichiro and pitcher Yu Darvish, who helped lead Japan to the World Baseball Classic championship in March.

Colin Williamson, NA's shortstop and a Butler native, is a fan of Hideki Matsui — and of his Japanese counterparts Wednesday.

"It's such a big opportunity for us," Williamson said. "It's really great to be able to play against a team not from around here."

David Tompkins said he will get more out of the experience than just another game under his belt.

"I think we can learn a little bit from the way they play and how excited they are just to play a simple game," Tompkins said.

Before the game, the Japanese players stretched and ran in unison. Everything is mapped out, from calisthenics to tossing a baseball to warm up.

On the mound, the three Japanese pitchers wound up slowly and deliberately like Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tomo Ohka.

At the plate, the left-handed hitters had a striking resemblance to Ichiro.

That's the way they are taught, Evans said.

"They all look like the major leaguers you see, don't they?" Evans said. "All the left-handed hitters look like Ichiro and all the right-handed hitters look like Sadaharu Oh," Evans said.

"There is no other country on Earth that you can do this with because the culture is so different," Evans added. "That's what makes this so special."