Koshien

Annual High School Baseball Summer Tournament
Hashain Koshien Stadium, started in 1922 and finished in 1924, is the site of the high school championship games in both spring and summer. It was the largest stadium in all of Asia, and was built to accomodate the crowds who came to watch high school ball.
2004 is the 80th anniversary of the completion of the Hashain Koshien Stadium. All young Japanese baseball players dream of playing at Koshien. The Hashin Koshien stadium is the home of the professional team: the Hashin Tigers.
This year is the 86th year of the high school competition. From the thousands of regional teams, only 49 (one from each perfecture) make it to Koshien. It is said that the boys reach down after the game to take a few grains of Koshien home to remember this most important event.
Besides the many people who come to the stadium to view the games and cheer for their school team, many more watch on TV or listen on radio.

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Pictures: Opening ceremony and teams.