Overview
High school baseball in Japan encompasses the competitive hardball programs at the nation's high schools, culminating in two marquee tournaments: the Spring Invitational (Senbatsu) and the Summer Championship, both held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. 'Koshien' has become synonymous with high school baseball itself. The sport transcends athletics to function as a cultural institution, a defining feature of the Japanese summer that commands nationwide attention. NHK has broadcast every game since television coverage began in 1953, and ratings remain consistently high. The connection to professional baseball is direct: a large share of NPB draft picks come from high school ranks, and many of the game's greatest stars entered the pros straight out of high school. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Yu Darvish, and Shohei Ohtani all attracted national attention as high schoolers before fulfilling their promise at the professional level. However, concerns persist about overuse injuries sustained during high school careers affecting players' professional longevity, prompting ongoing debate over pitch-count limits and player protection measures. High school baseball serves as NPB's largest talent pipeline while simultaneously sustaining the grassroots popularity of the sport.