BUTLER TWP — Domo arigato, Friendship Series.

Four Butler County baseball players are very thankful to have an opportunity of a lifetime: a two-week trip to Japan to play baseball and learn about a different culture in the Far East.

Butler High sophomores Shae Stobert and Jacob Stoner and Knoch High juniors Justin Grossman and Drew Holben will be part of a Pony League baseball team that will represent the United States in the 2010 Friendship Series — a cultural exchange program with the common language of baseball.

"When I first found out I was going, I was shocked," Stobert said. "Then I thought, 'I am very lucky.'"

The Friendship Series has been going strong for 36 years. Every other year, the U.S. team travels to Japan.

Last year, Japan played a game at Pullman Park.

This year, it's the United States' turn to pack its bags and head to Japan for a trip that will run from Aug. 15 through Aug. 27.

This trip, though, will be about more than just baseball.

The team will play several games at different sites around Japan, but the true learning experience will come off the field.

"It's just exciting to see the country," Grossman said. "I just want to experience the different customs and culture. That's what I'm looking forward to."

Players will stay with several Japanese families during their trip.

It costs $3,000 per player to make the trip.

The four Butler County players have done just about everything to raise enough cash.

Stobert has sold hoagies, candles and knocked on doors to get sponsorship money. Grossman has done odd jobs for family members. Holden and Stoner have gotten local businesses to sponsor them.

"It's been kind of an eye-opener," Holden said. "I'm kind of used to having everything handed to me. But I've had to work hard to get the money to go. It's kind of like what it's really going to be like in the real world."

Once the team gets to Japan, it will be a whirlwind of activity.

In addition to playing baseball, the team will attend a reception hosted by the mayor of Tokyo, will take in a Nippon Professional Baseball game and warm up with the players on the field, take a tour of the Mizuno factory — one of the largest manufacturers of baseball equipment in the world — and spend a day at Tokyo Disneyland.

Stobert said he is going to make time to appreciate the experience.

"After every event, we are going to have some time on our own," Stobert said. "That's when I'm going to make sure to enjoy what's going on around me."

The players said there is some things to learn about baseball in Japan as well.

The game is played differently in the Far East.

Stoner said he is going to pay close attention to how the Japanese approach the game.

"I'm going to try to learn as much as I can from them," Stoner said.

The players said they are also looking forward to being "rock stars."

About 300 people will welcome them when they land. More will follow their every move.

Japan has cornered the market on hospitality. The players are excited to be thoughtful guests.

"Our coach (John Evans) said we will constantly be posing for pictures," Stobert said. "He said we'd be tired of it after two weeks.

"We get to take in and learn Japanese etiquette, eat their food and learn about their culture. That's very exciting."