"Although professional baseball is Japan's largest spectator sport, the game still has a strong appeal for amateurs, particularly at the high school and university levels. In terms of participation, baseball is the most widely played sport among male elementary schoolchildren and junior high school students \for safety reasons, both use a soft rubber ball, the same size as a regular baseball). Competitions are generally limited to the local level." (for more see http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JapanAccess/baseball.htm)

The most popular form of baseball is "nanshiki" which uses a light rubber ball with dimples so that it resembles a large golf ball with the traditional raised seams of a baseball. The championship is between 16 teams - each their area's winning team.

While this championship is not as popular as professional ball, it is the 48th championship and has a long history. The team's supporters (family, school's friends, teacher, town's people) come to stadium and Akash's and Hyogo's people come to enjoy baseball.

When attending this championship there is no need for a tickets (free) and stadium's shopman is nothing (you can't buy drinks or hot dogs). It is very simple, but, people love baseball.

Pictures here are from Akashi Park's August 26th game. ENJOY!