Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball

[blank slate]

I just watched this amazing documentary on PBS about high school baseball in Japan. It definitely rivals what goes on here in the South (US) with high school football. I was impressed with the cheer squad, they are definitely more intense than those of the US. Also, the fact that 50,000 people are in attendance at the final game is pretty mind blowing. The show has a website, you can check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2006/kokoyakyu/ I definitely recommend watching it if you have PBS.

I was wondering if anyone here has experienced Koshien as a player, teacher, student, or just as a spectator?

[Pierrot le Fou]

I've been to Koshien (for Hanshin Tiger's games), but never during the High School baseball tourney. Never floated my boat. Maybe I'll go sometime though -- or would if it weren't hotter than balls.

[japanat]

The preliminary games are starting now, and the actual tournament goes throughout the first half of August. It's the only thing on NHK daytime. If your local school gets in, the town goes crazy.

[yakamashii]

Been to Koshien as a spectator, and also to my prefecture's qualifying tournament last year. It's an absolutely amazing event that altered some of my views of Japan and of baseball.

[JusenkyoGuide]

You can't avoid it in Japan. It's everywhere when it's going on.

Which usually just starts me laughing because the cheer songs are set to Popeye the Sailor Man and the Mickey Mouse Club Song.

[bakagaijin]

It's a good time. There is nothing like it (on the high school level) in the US.

[haterllnation]

I wish baseball was that intense here. We had a good record, but it's like families and scouts who show. That isn't as impressive as this is. I loved playing sectionals because the turn out was nuts....not quite as nuts as this, though. :(

[blank slate]

Hey baka, you should check out a Friday night in Texas, where you will get the entire town descending on the stadium to see a regular season game (Football). It's not even the playoffs, just a regular ol' game.

I really enjoyed that they followed the cheer squad. One of the seniors got uber pissed because they weren't cheering hard enough, lol. I can also tell that it is really hot, since they were all sweating like crazy after the game.

[yakamashii]

It's pretty funny that the players who don't make the official roster suit up and join the cheer group. And that everyone's number corresponds to their position.

[bakagaijin]

Hey baka, you should check out a Friday night in Texas, where you will get the entire town descending on the stadium to see a regular season game (Football). It's not even the playoffs, just a regular ol' game.



Yeah, I know. Have you ever read the book "Friday Night Lights?" I think it was made into a movie not too long ago.
I'd say that Texans are crazier about high school football than Japanese are over high school baseball.

However, in the US there isn't a national high school tournament like there is in Japan which is why I made my previous statement.

[Kyoushu]

I hope I'm not the only one thinking it, but the way they spell Koukouyakyuu is really bothering the hell out of me. I pronounce it all wrong in my head because of this.