All Public Schools Out Before Summer Koshien Round of 16
Listen to the story
Japan's famous summer high school baseball tournament, known as Koshien, has reached a surprising point this year. Before the round of 16, every public school team has been eliminated.
This means only private schools remain in the competition. Private schools in Japan often have strong sports programs, and this result shows their strength this summer.
One recent match was between Naruto Uzushio and Kasumigaura. In the second inning, with two outs and a runner on second base, Kasumigaura's player Noguchi hit a timely hit, allowing his teammate Watanabe to score from second base. This hit helped Kasumigaura win the game.
For Naruto Uzushio, the loss was disappointing. One of their players, Arima Rint, is the younger brother of a left-handed pitcher who is expected to be a top pick in this autumn's professional baseball draft.
After the game, Arima spoke about his feelings. He promised to seek revenge next year, saying, 'I will definitely get payback next year.'
Koshien is one of the most watched sporting events in Japan every summer. Many talented young players compete for a chance to represent their schools and prove themselves before scouts and fans across the country.
With all public schools now out of the tournament, attention turns fully to the remaining private school teams as they continue their journey through the summer bracket.
Vocabulary10 words
- high school baseball tournament
- a competition where teenage school teams play baseball
- round of 16
- the stage where only 16 teams remain
- public school
- a school run and paid for by the government
- private school
- a school not run by the government
- timely hit
- a hit that helps score a point at an important moment
- draft
- the process of choosing new players for professional teams
- revenge
- trying to succeed after a previous failure
- left-handed pitcher
- a baseball player who throws with the left hand
- scouts
- people who look for talented players
- bracket
- the schedule showing which teams play each other
Quiz
Answer key
1. All public school teams were eliminated 2. Through a timely hit by Noguchi that scored Watanabe 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's famous summer high school baseball tournament, known as Koshien, has reached a surprising point this year. Before the round of 16, every _____ team has been eliminated.
This means only _____ remain in the competition. Private schools in Japan often have strong sports programs, and this result shows their strength this summer.
One recent match was between Naruto Uzushio and Kasumigaura. In the second inning, with two outs and a runner on second base, Kasumigaura's player _____ hit a timely hit, allowing his teammate Watanabe to score from second base.
For Naruto Uzushio, the loss was disappointing. One of their players, _____, is the younger brother of a left-handed pitcher who is expected to be a top pick in this autumn's professional baseball draft.
After the game, Arima spoke about his feelings. He promised to seek _____ next year, saying, 'I will definitely get payback next year.'
Koshien is one of the most watched sporting events in Japan every summer. Many talented young players compete for a chance to represent their schools and prove themselves before _____ and fans across the country.
With all public schools now out of the tournament, attention turns fully to the remaining _____ teams as they continue their journey through the summer bracket.