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What: Diamonds in the Rough: Japanese Americans in Baseball

Where: Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St., Los Angeles, (213) 625-0414.

When: Through July 16.

Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children and students.

A photograph of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig towering over Japanese American baseball players in Fresno is one of the most intriguing items on display at the “Diamonds in the Rough” exhibition at the downtown Japanese American National Museum.

The Bustin’ Babes and the Larrupin’ Lous were off-season barnstorming teams formed in the 1930s to increase interest in the national pastime in California. The New York Yankee legends were probably surprised to find a thriving network of teams already in place--teams of Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans.

Japanese immigrants arriving in the late 19th century brought an appreciation of baseball. The first mainland team, the San Francisco Fujii club, was formed in 1903. Within 10 years, leagues were formed in Los Angeles, Honolulu and Seattle.

By the 1920s, nearly every Japanese American settlement had a team. But World War II changed the face of these communities. In 1942, the federal government forcibly relocated 112,000 Japanese Americans to 10 isolated detention camps.

Baseball, however, continued to flourish. Internees at Gila River developed a year-round league of 32 teams and championship games drew thousands.

The desegregation of baseball after the war provided additional opportunities for Nisei players. Even so, Japanese American leagues in Los Angeles continue.

“Diamonds in the Rough” chronicles the history of Japanese American baseball with artifacts, video, photographs and a diorama of the Zenimura Field at Gila River concentration camp.

The driving forces behind the exhibition are the National Japanese American Historical Society and the Nisei Baseball Research Project, a labor of love for Kerry Nakagawa of Fresno.