On the 23rd, in the final of the Summer Koshien, the Eastern Tokyo representatives, Kanto Daiichi High School, engaged in a fierce battle against the Kyoto representatives, Kyoto International High School. At Kanto Daiichi High School in Edogawa, Tokyo, a public viewing (PV) was held, drawing around 500 students, local residents, and alumni who cheered tirelessly. Banners and flags proclaiming “Congratulations on the runner-up” fluttered across the school’s corridors and outdoor stairs. (By Rina Suzuki)
The spectators who watched the intense match gave warm applause to the Kanto Daiichi team that finished as runners-up = at Kanto Daiichi High School in Edogawa, Tokyo (Photo by Kojiro Hirano)
◆ Escaping a Crisis with a Roar
The match began as a pitcher’s duel, with zeros accumulating on the scoreboard. Every time a strike was called during Kanto Daiichi’s defensive plays, the venue erupted with the sound of megaphones and cheers.
In the bottom of the fourth, when Kanto Daiichi recorded their first hit, some in the multi-purpose hall stood up in joy. After escaping a crisis during the sixth inning’s defense, the participants erupted in joyous roars.
The match entered extra innings due to a tie at 0-0. Although Kanto Daiichi faced a challenging situation in the bottom of the tenth after allowing two runs to Kyoto International, they retaliated fiercely, scoring one run. The bases were loaded, creating a situation where just one hit would bring a walk-off victory. The atmosphere of belief in victory reached its peak.
However, the final batter struck out. The venue fell silent, but soon voices of “Thank you!” rose, followed by a warm round of applause.
Students and associates from Kanto Daiichi hang their heads after losing to Kyoto International in the Koshien final = at Kanto Daiichi High School in Edogawa, Tokyo (Photo by Kojiro Hirano)
◆ “I’m Happy to Cheer”
The starting pitcher, Tetsushin Hatanaka, who pitched brilliantly with no runs allowed until the sixth inning, was joined by players from the Edogawa youth baseball team, the Matsushima Falcons.
Soishi Oshidari, a 10-year-old fourth grader from Nishikoma Elementary School, reflected, “Even though we lost, Hatanaka pitched great. Everyone did their best, and it was a good game. I want to be able to perform like that someday.”
Yusuke Izumisawa, the coach of the younger players (42), remarked, “I never thought we would reach the finals. Thank you for bringing us this far.”
Raiki Okazaki, an 18-year-old third-year student from the Kanto Daiichi soccer team, shared that most of the players were his classmates. Before the game, he encouraged them, saying, “Bring back the championship.” After the match, he was at a loss for words due to the shock but expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for moving so many people, including through the preliminaries.”
Kyohiro Konno from Kawagoe City, Saitama, who visited with a colleague whose child is a Kanto Daiichi student, arrived at the venue around 8:30 AM, being the first to arrive, and watched from the front row. He smiled and said, “It was a nice game. I’m happy to have cheered.”
A banner for the runner-up displayed on the school building after the match