[Japanese Side] Passion Unbroken by Earthquake... High School Baseball Team That Moved the Archipelago

Baseball Stadium Collapses Due to Earthquake... Practice at Other Region's Field
"We Will Comfort the Victims"... Japanese Media Also Shows Interest

In Japan, a powerhouse in high school baseball, there is intense enthusiasm for the national baseball tournament held in spring, known as the Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament. This tournament, often abbreviated as 'Senbatsu,' is considered second only to Koshien, Japan's largest high school baseball tournament, and is also called the 'Spring Koshien.' Japanese media frequently publish articles about which high school team won and how in each edition.

Sports tournaments often bring moving stories that touch people's hearts. This time, a high school from Ishikawa Prefecture attracted much attention. Despite the Noto Peninsula earthquake striking the area, making practice and even participation impossible, the team delivered an impressive performance backed by the support of many people.

Today, we share the story of the baseball team from Japan Aviation High School in Ishikawa Prefecture, located next to Noto Airport.

The dormitory devastated by earthquake damage. (Photo by NHK)

The Noto Peninsula in Japan suffered significant damage from a strong earthquake on New Year's Day. In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, where Japan Aviation High School is located, a magnitude 7 earthquake occurred. The school experienced a 50cm height difference in some areas, and even the baseball team's bullpen was raised. The dormitory was severely affected as well. Fortunately, most baseball team members had left Ishikawa Prefecture for their family homes during winter break, so there were no serious injuries.

With about three months left until the scheduled tournament, Coach Takashi Nakamura decided to move the baseball team's dormitory and practice base to another school in Yamanashi Prefecture.

However, they faced numerous external and internal conflicts. While baseball could continue elsewhere, seeing the collapsed houses and people living in shelters outside made them constantly question whether it was appropriate to play baseball at that time. They even thought, "Wouldn't it be better to volunteer rather than move to a more comfortable environment to play baseball? Wouldn't that be a special privilege for us?"

During the preliminary high school baseball tournament game, Coach Nakamura Takashi is giving instructions to a player. (Photo by NHK)

In this situation, another baseball coach from a nearby school in Wajima City advised, "Please play baseball for us. It is unfair for dreams to be taken away by the earthquake. Seeing your hard work will encourage others to stay strong." Encouraged by this, they decided to participate.

On the day they gathered in Yamanashi Prefecture, the team members were uneasy. They were happy to continue playing baseball but could not hide their feelings of guilt. This was clearly reflected in the students' condition.

Eventually, the coach shared a difficult story. Being from Kobe, he recounted his experience of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake when he was an elementary school student. He rushed out of his house, stepping on broken glass to escape, was shocked by buildings lying on the road, and the school was closed for a month for recovery. Nearly 29 years after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, they faced another major earthquake on New Year's Day.

Temporary accommodation set up at a school in Yamanashi Prefecture. (Photo by NHK)

The coach appealed, "We should be grateful to be able to play baseball thanks to various support. If there are people in need, we should grow up to be adults who can lend a helping hand." Ultimately, they settled on participating. Comforting each other's wounded hearts, the game day finally arrived.

The moving story attracted great media attention, and expectations were high about the game Japan Aviation High School would show. The coach and all 67 players entered the stadium wearing caps inscribed with the words 'Smile, Gratitude, Repayment.' Their opponent was Ibaraki Josho Gakuen High School.

Baseball team members' hats with the words "Smile, Gratitude, Repayment. For Ishikawa Prefecture." (Photo by NHK)

Thanks to their unity, their defense was very strong in the early innings. Josho Gakuen scored their first run after one out in the 6th inning. However, Josho Gakuen’s ace pitcher used breaking balls to strike out nine batters. Although it was a disappointing loss after showing early resilience, even the opposing team said in their post-game comments, "It was not easy to score the first run."

Despite the loss, the media focused on the Japan Aviation team. Coach Nakamura showed tears in a post-game interview, saying, "We played an ideal game with perseverance, but we couldn't get one more hit. It is my responsibility as the coach that the team did not win."

He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Thanks to the support of many people, we were able to come here today. Even in the crisis in the bottom of the 9th inning, the players could play aggressive defense because everyone’s cheers pushed them forward."

Players from Japan Aviation High School returning after the game. (Photo by NHK)

The team captain said, "It is frustrating not to have won, but we were able to play until the end without giving up," and added, "We also wanted to give courage to those affected by the earthquake through our good performance."

About 2,500 spectators, including 13 members of the Wajima High School baseball team and people from Ishikawa Prefecture, came to watch the Japan Aviation High School game.

Spectators who came to watch the game at Japan Aviation High School. In the front row sit the Wajima City High School baseball team and their coach, who persuaded the players to participate. (Photo by NHK)

The power of sports is truly tremendous. In fact, the Hiroshima baseball team Toyo Carp was born on land devastated after Japan’s defeat following the atomic bombing, and it became a beloved team by showing growth to the people. We hope this baseball team, which has endured much physical and emotional hardship due to the earthquake, will rise as a strong high school baseball power with even greater skills next time.