Spring Baseball in Japan

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Spring has arrived and baseball is in the air! Especially in Japan and more so in high school. It's the time for the high school team tournament held in Hanshin Koshien Stadium: the home of the Hanshin Tigers.

The stadium is the oldest one in Japan and reminds USA visitors of Cubs Park with its ivy covered walls. It was originally built to house the high school championship (which is played in August.)

Early in the season the ivy on the warmer side of the building is already beginning to leaf out. The stadium is located near Kobe.

Though the Tigers are a professional team, and this is their stadium, the tournament games are given preference and if the Tigers have any games scheduled during this time, they are rescheduled or cancelled.

The high school team's names are on cards. Each team selects their card from the pack

The entrance lists the places for each team and their families and friends. These games are very well attended. Really they are one of the more important events happening in spring.

Getting to the stadium is easy. There is a train stop right at the park! And on your way to the stadium stop by and pick up a sovenier pennant to cheer for your team or even pick up a t-shirt or Tiger to take home because, of course, you're also a Tiger's fan!

Outside the stadium are plaques and statues . The Tiger is for the 'home team'. The Babe Ruth plaque is now also in his home town of Baltimore, Maryland.

Pictures from the tournament.