High School Baseball Tournament Kicks ⁣Off:‍ Full Schedule and Participating teams

The‌ 97th edition of the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, also known as the Spring​ Koshien, is underway, showcasing some of Japan’s top high school baseball talent. The tournament features⁣ 32 ‍schools from ‌across the nation, vying for ​the coveted championship title.

First‌ Round⁤ Matchups

The first round commenced on March 18th and continues through⁣ march 23rd, featuring a series of exciting matchups:

• March 18:
  • Yanaigaura vs. Nishogakusha Daigaku
    ⁣
• March 19:
  • Tsuruga Kehi vs. Shiga Tanki Daigaku
  • Yokohama vs. Ichikawa Wakayama
  • Aomori Yamada vs. Okinawa Shogaku
    ‌
• March 20:
  • Ogaki Nichidai vs. Nishinihon Tankidaigaku
    ⁢
  • Yamanashi Gakuin vs. Tenri
    ‌
  • Iki‌ vs. Toyo University Himeiji
• March 21:
  • Hiroshima Sho vs. Yokohama Seiryo
    ‍ ⁣
  • Energy Sports vs. ​Shigakkan
  • Chiba Rome vs. Chiben Wakayama
• March 22:
  • Waseda Jitsu vs. Takamatsu ⁤sho
  • Seiko‌ gakuin vs. Tokoha University Kikugawa
    ⁢ ‌
  • Shiga ⁣gakuen vs. Urawa Jitsu
    ⁤
• march ​23:
  • Japan Aviation ⁢Ishikawa⁢ vs. Tokai University⁣ Sapporo
    ⁣

Second Round Schedule

Following the first ‍round, the ​second ⁤round is scheduled for March 23rd through⁣ March 25th, setting ‍the stage for the quarterfinals.

• March 23:
  • Yanaigaura/Nishogakusha Daigaku vs Hanamaki Higashi/Yonego Shoin
  • Kenta Takasaki/Meitoku gijuku vs Tsuruga Kehi/Shiga Tanki Daigaku
• March 24:
  • Yokohama/Ichikawa Wakayama⁢ vs Aomori⁤ Yamada/Okinawa Shogaku
  • Ogaki Nichidai/Nishinihon Tankidaigaku‌ vs Yamanashi Gakuin/Tenri
  • Iki/toyo University Himeiji vs Hiroshima Sho/Yokohama Seiryo
    ​
• March 25:
  • Energy Sports/Shigakkan vs Chiba ⁤Rome/Chiben Wakayama
  • Waseda​ Jitsu/Takamatsu Sho vs Seiko Gakuin/Tokoha University Kikugawa
  • Shiga​ Gakuen/Urawa Jitsu vs Japan Aviation Ishikawa/Tokai University Sapporo
    ⁤

Tournament Progression

The quarterfinals are slated ⁤for March 26th, with a rest day following on March 27th. The semi-finals will take place on⁣ March 28th, followed by another rest day on March ⁤29th. ‌The championship game is scheduled for‌ March 30th.

Participating Schools

The tournament field includes a mix of returning powerhouses and emerging teams.Here’s a breakdown ‌by⁤ region:

• 21st Century Frame: Iki (Nagasaki, First Appearance), Yokohama Seiryo (Kanagawa, First Appearance)
• Hokkaido: Tokai University Sapporo (10th year, 7th⁣ time)
• Tohoku: Seiko Gakuin (Fukushima, 3 years, 7 times), aomori Yamada (aomori, 2 years, 4 times), Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate, 3 years, 5 times)
• Kanto/Tokyo: Yokohama (Kanagawa, 6 years, 17 times), Kenta Takasaki ​(Gunma, ‍3 years, 8 times), Urawa Jitsu (Saitama, First Appearance), Chiba Rome (Chiba, First Appearance), Yamanashi ‌Gakuin (yamanashi, 4 years, 8 ‌times), Nishogakusha Daigaku (Tokyo, 2 years, 8 times), Waseda Jitsu (Tokyo, 8 years, 22 times)
• Tokai: Ogaki Nichidai (Gifu, 2 years, 6 times), Tokoha University Kikukawa (Shizuoka, ⁣2 years, 6 times), Shigakkan (Aichi, 8 ‌years,‌ 2 times)
• Hokushinetsu: tsuruga Kehi (Fukui, 5 years, 12 times), Japan Aviation Ishikawa (Ishikawa, 2 years, 4 times)
• Kinki: toyo University Himeji (Hyogo, 3 years, 9 times), Chiben Wakayama (Wakayama, 2 years, 16 times),⁢ Ichikawa Wakayama (Wakayama, ​3 years, 9 times),‌ Tenri (Nara, 3 years, 27 times), Shiga Gakuen (Shiga, 8 years, 3 times), Shiga Tankidaigaku (Shiga, First Appearance)
• China: Hiroshima Sho (Hiroshima, 3 years, 23 times), Yonego shoin (Tottori, 33 years, 2 times)
• Shikoku: Meitoku Gijuku (Kochi,​ 4 years, 21 times), Takamatsu Sho (Kagawa, 2 years, 29 times)
• Kyushu: Okinawa Shogaku (Okinawa, 2 years, ⁤8 times), energy Sports ⁤(Okinawa, First Appearance), Yanaigaura (Oita, 20 years, 3 times), Nishinihon Tankidaigaku (Fukuoka, 38 years, 2 times)

**What criteria does the selection commitee use to⁤ determine the‌ participating teams for the Spring Koshien?**

High School Baseball Tournament: Q&A

Dive deeper into the excitement of the National High School Baseball ⁢Invitational Tournament​ with this Q&A:

Tournament Basics

What ​is the Spring Koshien?

The Spring Koshien is ⁤the National High‍ School Baseball ​Invitational Tournament‌ in Japan,a prestigious competition featuring​ the nation’s top high school ⁣baseball teams.

how many teams participate?

Thirty-two schools from across Japan compete for the‌ championship title.

When and ⁣where is the tournament held?

The tournament​ begins in March.⁢ The exact location is Koshien ‌Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, a historic and iconic​ venue.

Matchups and ​Schedule

When did the first round start, and how long does it last?

The first round started on March 18th and⁣ continues through March 23rd. Check the⁤ schedule above‌ for specific game dates and times.

What⁢ are the meaningful dates for the rest of​ the tournament?

• Second Round: March 23rd – March 25th
• Quarterfinals: March 26th
• Semi-finals: March 28th
• Championship: March ‍30th

How are the matchups determined?

The selection committee considers various factors,‍ including ‍regional championships, team performance, and​ overall strength, to create exciting and balanced matchups.

Participating Teams

What regions are represented?

Teams come from across Japan, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, ⁢Kanto/Tokyo, Tokai, Hokushinetsu, Kinki, China, ‍Shikoku, and Kyushu.

Which​ teams have the most experience in the tournament?

Teams like Takamatsu Sho (Kagawa) with their 29 appearances and Tenri (Nara) with 27 appearances boast significant tournament history. Waseda Jitsu (Tokyo)⁤ has 22 appearances.

Are there any “Cinderella” stories or first-time participants in the tournament?

Yes! This year’s tournament ⁤includes teams appearing for the first time, such as⁤ Urawa Jitsu ⁤(Saitama), Chiba Rome (Chiba), Energy Sports (Okinawa), and ‍Shiga Tankidaigaku (Shiga). iki (Nagasaki) and Yokohama Seiryo (Kanagawa) are⁢ also making their tournament debuts.

General Information

What’s the⁢ importance of the tournament in Japan?

The Spring Koshien is‍ a major cultural​ event, captivating the nation and showcasing the​ dedication and ⁣skill⁣ of high school baseball players. It’s a ⁤pathway ⁢for young athletes to gain recognition ⁢and potentially ‌launch‌ professional ⁣careers.

where can I‍ find ​more⁤ information, including live streams or replays?

You can search the tournament’s official website (if available) ‌or check major Japanese sports news outlets⁤ for game schedules, results, and potential streaming⁣ options.

Stay tuned for the unfolding ⁢drama and thrilling moments of the Spring Koshien! Now that you are updated, enjoy following the tournament’s ​progress.