Yokohama High School players celebrate their 21st championship victory after three years

The 107th National High School Baseball Championship Kanagawa Tournament final took place on the 27th at Yokohama Stadium. Yokohama High School defeated last summer’s champion, Tokaidai Sagami High School, with a score of 11-3, claiming their 21st title after a three-year gap.

Yokohama’s Soki Oda (2nd year) and Tokaidai’s Yu Sugano (3rd year) started as pitchers. In the fourth inning, Yokohama, trailing by three runs, scored four runs with a two-run homer by Raido Okumura and timely hits by Yuki Komahashi, successfully turning the game around. In the fifth inning, Shunto Ono (2nd year) and Seima Ikeda added timely hits, extending their lead by three more runs.

Yokohama had previously won national titles at the Meiji Jingu Tournament last fall and the Spring Selection Tournament in March, also securing victory in the Kanagawa Spring Tournament. Entering this tournament as the top seed, they clinched a walk-off win in the quarterfinals and overturned deficits in both the semifinals and finals, achieving three consecutive comeback victories.

The National Championship bracket draw will take place on August 3, with the tournament opening at Koshien Stadium on August 5.

Yokohama Stadium

Yokohama Stadium is a multipurpose baseball stadium located in Yokohama, Japan, primarily serving as the home field for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Opened in 1978, it replaced the older Yokohama Stadium and has hosted numerous baseball games, concerts, and events. The stadium is known for its vibrant atmosphere and modern facilities, reflecting Yokohama’s status as a major cultural and sports hub.

Meiji Jingu Tournament

The **Meiji Jingu Tournament** (明治神宮大会) is an annual amateur baseball competition held at Meiji Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1924, it is one of Japan’s most prestigious amateur baseball events, featuring university and industrial league teams. The tournament honors Emperor Meiji and reflects Japan’s deep cultural connection to baseball, blending tradition with sport.

Spring Selection Tournament

The **Spring Selection Tournament** (also known as *Haru Sen* or *Senbatsu*) is an annual high school baseball tournament in Japan, held each spring at **Koshien Stadium** in Hyogo Prefecture. Organized by the Japan High School Baseball Federation since 1924, it features 32 top schools competing in a single-elimination format, serving as a prestigious qualifier for the summer National Championship. The tournament highlights Japan’s deep-rooted passion for high school baseball and its role in shaping young athletes’ careers.

Kanagawa Spring Tournament

The **Kanagawa Spring Tournament** is an annual high school baseball competition held in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, showcasing young talent and fostering regional pride. Established as part of Japan’s storied high school baseball tradition, it serves as a qualifier for the national **Koshien Tournament**, mirroring the country’s deep passion for the sport. The event draws large crowds and reflects the cultural significance of baseball in Japanese school life and community spirit.

Koshien Stadium

Koshien Stadium, located in Nishinomiya, Japan, is the country’s most iconic baseball stadium, opened in 1924. It is best known as the home of the Hanshin Tigers and the annual National High School Baseball Championship, a prestigious tournament held since 1915 (before the stadium’s construction). The stadium’s distinctive brick facade and historic significance make it a beloved symbol of Japanese baseball culture.