(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Youth Baseball5 Champions Shine at Summer Koshien Opening Ceremony
Two rising stars of Japan’s Youth Baseball5 National Team made history at the opening game of the prestigious 107th National High School Baseball Championship — widely known as the Summer Koshien — held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium on August 5.
Shogo Hirano, captain of Japan’s Youth Baseball5 Asia Cup-winning team, and Aika Morimoto, the tournament’s MVP, were invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Both athletes played a key role in Japan’s victory at the II Youth Baseball5 Asia Cup in March.
Hirano, a talented catcher from Yokohama Hayato High School, and Morimoto, a skilled pitcher from Chukyo University Senior High School, are in their final year of high school. Morimoto also made history as the first girl ever to perform the ceremonial pitch at the Summer Koshien.
Sharing her excitement, Morimoto said, “I’m glad I was able to throw with all my might on the stage of my dreams. I hope this will help more people discover the appeal and potential of Baseball5.”
Hirano expressed his gratitude, saying, “I took on this challenge to support the growth of both high school baseball and Baseball5.”
Organised by the Japan High School Baseball Federation and Asahi Shimbun, the Summer Koshien is one of the most famous school sports events in the world. It features a two-week tournament with 49 top high school teams from across Japan, drawing huge crowds and nationwide attention.
