The first MLB All-Stars exhibition game in Japan featured two different kinds of baseballs

While many of Japan's baseball rules are similar to those used in MLB, there's one rather large distinction -- the Japanese leagues use different balls.The Japanese baseball is actually a bit smaller and allows pitchers to throw with a slightly different grip, enabling even more movement on their pitches.

While the rest of the games in the Japan Series will feature the World Baseball Classic baseballs (which are functionally the same as MLB's official baseballs), the series' opening exhibition allowed the Hanshin Tigers-Yomiuri Giants combo team to use the traditional Japanese ball while they were playing the field.

Of course, the different types of baseballs didn't seem to have much of an effect on the offensive end as the two clubs combined for 15 runs, with the MLB All-Stars winning, 8-7.