Every Summer the historical baseball stadium of Koshien between Osaka and Kobe turns out an emotional scene as baseball teams of high schools from all over Japan fight a desperate battle. There is a lot of honor involved for the high schools to win the Koshien pennant. At the same time it is a rite of passage for the teams involved. Many of the team members are in their last year of school and their time at Koshien will be their last but lasting memory of their school days.

How much Koshien means to the teams shows as each team scoops sand from one of the bases as they make their final farewell. In special bags this is taken back home to remind them forever of their moments of glory, or if they didn't get as far as they hoped, pain.

Fans are extremely loyal and emotional and have often traveled many long hours in uncomfortable buses to be able to encourage their school's team. Tears flow freely as their team looses, but joy knows no boundaries when they win.

For scouts of professional baseball teams it offers an excellent opportunity to see the best new baseball talent of the land all in one place, and right before the players become available.

To the country as a whole Koshien's High School Baseball is a symbol of Summer, an annually returning drama of epic proportions. Each restaurant, coffee shop and inn has one or more TV's tuned to the games and many watch nothing else. As much as Japan changes, one thing will always remain: Koshien Koukou Yakkyu (Koshien High School Baseball).

Contact kjduits@ikjeld.com if you would like to carry these photographs.

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