Koshien is one of a kind and uniquely Japanese

(First published on July 25, 2022)

TOKYO — There is simply nothing in the world like the National High School Baseball Championship Tournament held at Koshien Stadium ever summer. Forty nine teams converge in one place over a two-week period, whittled down in single-elimination play, until only one is left. Crowds of up to 50,000 fans per day attend, while each and every game is telecast live, nationwide, by NHK to an audience of millions.

England has the historic 151 year-old F.A. Cup, a knockout tournament that pares down 763 teams — professional and amateur teams. The final draws 9 million viewers but the rest of games are spread out, and lack the intensity of the Koshien summer fest.