...mamonaku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka desu.

So we finally wrap up the trip to Kyushu at the populous prefecture in the region, Fukuoka. The most puzzling thing to me is that Fukuoka is one of the prefectures with the most people in western Japan, and yet their success at Koshien has been... well... underwhelming.

I don't know the reason why, so if someone can enlighten me, I'd appreciate it.

Anyways, to the qualifiers. Fukuoka has block with 19 teams making it to the prefectural finals. Top seeds in each regional (by block) are as follows:

Kita Regionals

• Kaho, Jiyuugaoka, Touchiku, Higashi-Chikushi Gakuen, Kyushu Kokusaidai Fuzoku, Iidzuka, Tobata and Kokura.

Minami Regionals

• Kurume Shougyou, Kyushu Sangyoudai Fuzoku Kyushu Sangyou, Nishi Nippon Tankidai Fuzoku, Chikuyou Gakuen, Kasuga, Oki Gakuen, Tokaidai Dai-go, Fukuokadai Oohori, Kyushu Sangyodai Fuzoku Kyushu, Fukuoka Kodai Jyoutou, and Chikuzen.

Some names are recently familiar in Iidzuka and others have gone to Koshien in the past decade (Kyushu Sangyodai Fuzoku Kyushu, Fukuoka Kodai Jyoutou). But the lack of dominating teams is surprising. The only team to go more than twice in the past decade was Yanagigawa, and they're not even seeded.

7/4 - Qualifier Update!! (Part 2)

Continuing the review in Okinawa we begin with a stunning upset as seeded Itoman, up 3-1 against Maehara, gives up 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th and falls 4-3! Then, in the 2nd game of the day, Motobu and Nanbu Nourin were scoreless through regulation. The innings continued to drag on with neither side able to get that one run across. But one inning away from a tie, Motobu manages to bring home the sayonara run.

At Itoman Nishizaki, Yaeyama Shoukou continues it's run as they breeze through 6-0. Seeded Okinawa SuiHaebarusan defeates Nishihara by the same score.

Meanwhile, Kumejima just seems to love the walkoff. Against Urasoe at Chatan Kouen, Kumejima held a 4-2 lead after 4. But the kids from Urasoe fought back with runs in the 6th and 7th and actually took the lead! Kumejima though would tie the game in the bottom of the 7th. Then against relief pitcher Atagi, Kumejima gets the walkoff run and advances to face Motobu.

Okinawa Suisan's opponent in the round of 16 will be former Koshien participant Ishikawa. Quickly down 2-0 to Kitanakagusuku, they tie the game with runs in the 7th and 8th. And in the 11th, they break it open with 2 runs to push past the squad from Kitanakagusuku.

And today will be the matchup between Urasoe Shougyou and Chubu Shougyou. Will we see another seeded team fall?

Moving to Kagoshima-ken, the opening round games begin. Reimei easily defeats Sueyoshi 4-0, but will have to turn around and face Kamimura Gakuen. Also at Kamoike Prefectural Stadium, the combined Nakatani・Taneshima Chuo squad mercy rule Ooshima Kougyou 10-0 in 5 and will play LaSalle next. And finally Taneshima scores 3 in the first on their way to a 6-2 victory against Kagoshima Dai-ichi. They'll get to play seeded Kagoshima.

At Kamoike Citizen's Ballpark, Izumi Kougyou has no trouble with Amami defeating them 5-1. Ichiki Nougei and Kokubun Chuo traded a run in the 1st and 2 in the 3rd before Ichiki scored in the 5th and 6th to take a 2 run lead. Down 5-4 in the top of the 9th, Ichiki Nougei's ace Ookubo gives up 3 runs. And while they mount a rally in the bottom of the 9th, they fall 7-6. And Kagoshima Suisan handles Ooshima Kita 5-0.

And play begins in the 133 team field in Fukuoka. Man, what the feeling would be to play a game at Yahoo! Dome. But that what's these teams did yesterday. Tobata Kougyou defeats Tokiwa 6-2, while Kurume Shougyou sends Fukuoka home early winning 11-0 in 5.

In late games back in Hokkaido, Asahigawa Jitsugyou does defeat Asahigawa Higashi 6-2. In Sorachi, Iwamizawa Higashi beats Takikawa Kougyou 9-2 in 7. In Tokachi, the game was called after 7 with Obihiro Ootani beating Hiro-o 9-1 earning the final bid from the region.

7/4 - Qualifier Update!! (Part 1)

Well, Fukuoka and Kagoshima begin their qualifiers as Hokkaido and Okinawa continue their marches.

Kita Hokkaido
Asahigawa Regional

• A Block - The game between Asahigawa Kougyou and Asahigawa Ryuukoku for some reason wasn't played on the 3rd. Or if it was, there's been no report of it. Now that I check the news wires, it appears that a player from Asahigawa Ryuukoku has been diagnosed with the flu and as a result the game has been delayed. When they do play, they will play for the right to play Asahigawa Nishi for a spot in the sweet 16. Nishi defeated their cross-town rivals, Asahigawa Kita 11-6.
  
• B Block - Asahigawa Meisei defeated Rumoi 4-1, while Asahigawadai ousted Furano 5-1. These teams will play tomorrow for a spot in the round of 16.
• C Block - Earlier today, Asahigawa Ryouun and Furano Ryokuho dueled for a spot in the block finals. Ryokuho took the quick 1-0 lead, but Ryouun roared back with 5 in the bottom of the 1st to take a commanding lead. Ryokuho clawed back with a run in the 3rd and 2 in the 5th to get within 1. Just as they were getting close, ace Ishikawa gives up 2 runs to give Ryouun back the 3 run lead. Ryokuho , perhaps getting desparate, roars back with a big inning of their own, scoring 4 in the 6th and taking the 8-7 lead! Now it was Ryouun who would have to claw their way back, and that they did! They scored the tying run in the 7th and the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th! Down to their last 3 outs, Furano finds a way to tie the game once again! They have a chance to bring it to extras, but Ishikawa cannot hold off Ryouun. He gives up the sayonara run as Ryokuho can only watch as their Koshien dreams end.

Sorachi Regionals

• A Block - Komadai Iwamizawa continues to breeze through the competition, defeating Asahigawa Ryokuryou 12-2 in 5 innings. But they'll have to wait. For Naie Shougyou, down 3-2 to Fukagawa Nishi and facing elimination, score the tying run in the 9th. And then nothing. Zeros litter the board in extras, and the game ends in a 3-3 tie! So they'll do it all over again tomorrow, and that means that whoever wins will have to had played 3 games in 3 days - with the last game against Komadai Iwamizawa - to advance. Ganbatte.
• B Block - Sunagawa easily defeats Takikawa 6-0to reach their block final. Their opponent looks to be Iwamizawa Higashi as they lead Takikawa Kougyou 6-1 after 2 innings.

Kitami Regionals

• A Block - The block finals here are set, and Memanbetsu and Kitami Hokuto breezed through their semifinal games to get there.
• B Block - Here the teams had a bit more of a hard time. Engaru and Kitami Hakuyou were tied 1-1 when Engaru scored a run in the 6th and 7th to take a 2 run lead. Hakuyou though quickly tied the game in the top of the 8th, and then suddenly took the lead with a run in the 9th! Engaru though will not be denied! They score 2 in the bottom of the 9th and advance 5-4! Bihoro and Abashiri Keiyou went down to the wire as well. Nursing a 1-run lead, Nakatsuka can't hold it. Bihoro scores the tying run in the 8th. And then Bihoro breaks Abashiri Keiyou's heart as they score the sayonara run in the 9th.
• C Block - The Kitami Regionals seem to be filled with late-game heroics. Koshimizu held a 2-1 lead against Kitami Ryokuryou from the 1st inning onward. But then in the 9th, ace Tachibana can't close the deal. He gives up 3 runs to Ryokuryou, and his team falls 4-2. The other finalist featured Kitami Kougyou and Oumu. Kitami Kougyou went ahead 3-1, but Oumu tied it up with runs in the 6th and 7th. Kitami Kougyou went back ahead with a run in the bottom of the 7th, only to see Oumu score 2 in the 8th... and never look back.

Tokachi Regionals

• In Tokachi, it's an Obihiro sweep. In Block A, Obihiro Nougyou defeated Obihiro Hakuyou 4-0 to earn a bid. Block B saw a shocker as Obihiro Kougyou upset Shirakaba Gakuen 6-2! And while the block final game is still in progress, Obihiro Ootani has a 9-1 lead after 7 innings over Hiro-o.

Kushine Regionals

• In Kushine, we're approaching the block finals. In Block A, Nakashibetsu and Kushiro Konan will duke it out. Block B sees Bushuukan and Kushiro Hokuyou. Kushiro Hokuyou came back quickly after a 1st inning 4-0 deficit to take a 5-4 lead. While Kushiro Tousen would tie the game up, Hokuyou would push the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th to advance. Rain has pushed back the schedule a day, so Block C's semi's will happen tomorrow.

Minami Hokkaido
Here in Minami Hokkaido, we're approaching the end of the regionals. Muroran and Otaru remain.

Muroran Regionals

• Block A - Tomakomai Chuo was in a pitchers duel against Tomakomai Higashi. Higashi broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 7th with a run, but Chuo evened the score in the 8th. Then in the 9th inning, Chuo scores the sayonara run off of ace Yagi and they reach the round of 16.
• Block B - Mukawa and Shiraoi Higashi were also involved in a close affair. Mukawa broke a 1-1 tie with runs in the 6th and 7th and ace Nishifuji held off a late charge by Shiraoi Higashi to come away with the 3-2 win.
• Block C - Komadai Tomakomai looks to advance as they face off against Muroran Ootani.
• Block D - Meanwhile, Hokkaido Sakae and Tomakomai Kougyou will face off in the 2nd game of the day for the right to play on.

Otaru Regionals

• The finals are set in both blocks. In Block A, Hokushou and Otaru Ooyou will meet up. Otaru Ooyou had to hold off a late charge from Niki Shougyou and squeaked by with a 7-6 win. Meanwhile, Otaru Suisan and Otaru Kougyou will play for the 2nd bid from Otaru.

There's not enough time to cover the Kyushu region right now, but I will continue the recap later!

Say again?

Aw crap. It's hard enough for me to understand Japanese proper as it were, but now we reach Saga when they have Saga-ben. Looks like it's time for hand gestures.

40 schools begin their trek to Koshien, buoyed by the duo of Baba and Kubo who led Saga Kita to victory 2 years ago.

Last year's participant, and only other Natsu Koshien winner Saga Shougyou leads the field of seeded teams which include Saga Gakuen, Imari Nourin and 2007 spring participant Ogi.

Saga Shougyou would love to make it to Koshien once again, in the hopes of getting past the first game. Everyone else looks to catch that fire that was the success of Saga Kita.

Koshien slam anyone?

Man, what I would give for more onsen at Unzen Onsen. But there's no time as we arrive in Nagasaki. And here lies the team that looks for the Koshien sweep - Seihou. Led by Imamura Takeru and his intimidating and never-changing face, Seihou finally has the pitching to back up the explosive offense they've always had. Oddly enough, Imamura isn't getting as much attention as his counterpart Kikuchi. And as a fan of Seihou, I like the underdog. Let them focus on Hanamaki Higashi. Imamura will continue to dominate.

But first things first, they'll have to pass through the gauntlet of prefectural qualifying.

Those judged to give them the most trouble are Nagasaki Nichidai, Souseikan, Shikimachi Kougyou, Chinzei Gakuin, Nagasaki Shougyou, Keihou and Hasami. Worse yet for Seihou, Nagasaki Nichidai resides in their quadrant - so it's not going to be easy.

But needless to say, Imamura is expected to arrive at Koshien with the intent on repeating. Their first step will be on the 17th at Sasebo Stadium against the Kawatana-Nagasaki Aoyama winner.

A walk through the park?

If I ever have time in Kumamoto-ken, I'd like to take a stroll through Suizenji Kouen. It feels like I could spend a couple of days there just enjoying the scenery.

But the whirlwind tour of the brackets continue. The draw is set, and they're getting ready to go.

The seeded teams for this bracket include recent participants Kumamoto Kougyou, Yatsushiro Higashi, Kyushu Gakuin, Jyouhoku, and Shuugakukan. Luther Gakuin, Kumamoto Kokufu, and Senshuudai Tamana join them in the top 8.

Kumomoto Kougyou has had the history of advancing, but I have a feeling that it's going to be that clear-cut.

It takes a village...

But unfortunately in Oita, there are very few left. Check that, there's 1 village left - Himeshima. And with 14 cities and 3 towns, it is the 4th fewest combined total in all of Japan (thanks Wikipedia). As a result, a recent governor started the One Village, One Product movement which helped these remaining municipalities survive.

The 49 team field is set, and the score will be settled at Shin-Oita stadium.

Meihou with happy-go-lucky 3B/P Imamiya, and Hita-rin Kougyou are the top 2 seeds. Oita and 21st century team Oita Uenogaoka make up the 3/4 seeds.

The 5-8 seeds belong to Saiki Kakujyou, Touin, Beppu Aoyama and Mie Sougou.

And unlike Miyazaki prefecture, comeptition has been a bit more wide open as there have been 7 different representatives over the past decade. Meihou certainly is the favorite to advance, but it's not like they're invulnerable either. Imamiya is only half of Meihou's staff. When and how he's used could be the key to their success.

Stop me if you've heard of this one...

Well, I don't know if we'll get a visit from governor Higashikokubaru, but word is he's doing a lot to get Miyazaki back on the map in Japan. Unfortunately that hasn't stopped the prefecture, like other rural prefectures, from consolidating its villages and towns.

That's evidenced by the 51 team field for the prefectural qualifiers.

Miyazaki Shougyou, with the loss of ace Akagawa to the Yakult Swallows, still earns one of the top 8 seeds in the field. The other seeded teams includes recent Koshien participants such as St. Ursula, Nobeoka Gakuen, and Nichinan Gakuen. The other 4 are Miyakonojyou Shougyou, Miyazaki Gakuen, Miyazaki Shougyou, and Miyazaki Nougyou.

A favorite of mine when they received a 21st century bid was Miyakonojyou Izumigaoka. I think I just like them for their grittiness. They draw Hyuuga Kougyou as the first game of the day at Sun Marine Stadium on the 13th.

Interestingly, Miyazaki ranks in the middle when it comes to succes at Koshien. And in the last couple of years, their representatives have fared a little better getting through their first game before being eliminated. The winner here will hope to continue that trend.

How about some daikon?

Ah, back in the warm Kyushu region. Glad I brought my umbrella and sunscreen. Perhaps I'll have some daikon dishes when I get the chance.

I'm just in time to see the next prefecture to start their qualifiers.

The top 4 seeds are no surprise. Shounan, (formerly known as Kagoshima Shoukou) the dominant team since the 1980's - is no surpise given they've made it to Koshien 14 of the last 28 years!! Kamimura Gakuen continues to get a top seed in the region, but has only fulfilled that dream in 2007 in making it to Koshien. And the 3rd team to dominate the scene, Kamimura Jitsugyou, earns another spot. The 4th team to earn a top seed is Kagoshima Shougyou.

If you look at the records, the last team not named Shounan/Kagoshima Shoukou, Kagoshima Jitsugyou or Kamimura Gakuen to make it out of Kagoshima, was Kawauchi Jitsugyou... in 1980.

Good luck to all the other teams. I'm sure it's been a long record of frustration for all of you.

Oh, one more thing to note. You may have seen teams that seem to consist of multiple schools. One example is Kurino Kougyou・Makizono・Kirishima. My best guess is that the federation allows schools to merge teams, probably as a necessity in rural areas. Mass migrations to metropolitan areas have forced cities and towns to merge. But when we talk about merge, it's just a combination of cities that could be separated by a good distance that become officially a "city". So this hardship probably creates an exception where schools can combine their players to form a team.

Qualifier Update!

Well, while I've been off gallivanting around the different prefectures - Kita Hokkaido, Minami Hokkaido and Okinawa continue on with their qualifiers.

Starting in Kita Hokkaido, Nayoro has finished their regionals - and it was a hometown sweep. In Block A, Nayoro had no trouble in any of their games, defeating Toyotomi 7-3, turning around 2 days later to defeat top seed Hamatonbetsu 4-0 then putting the exclamation mark the next day by defeating Esashi 17-0 in 5 innings. It seemed more impressive given they had momentum on their side. They had earlier survived a 8-7 game in 12 innings against Rishiri, then pushing Nayoro Nougyou 14-3 in 7.

In B Block, Nayoro Sangyou advanced after defeating Wakkanai 5-3 in the finals. But that game was a bit closer. Up 3-1 heading into the 7th, Wakkanai equalized with 2. They could not build on that though as Nayoro Sangyou scored 2 in the bottom half of the frame to once again take the lead.

To the Asahigawa Regional, in A Block Asahigawa Kougyou easily beat Rumoi Senbou 11-0 in 5 innings. Kamifurano's season ended early as Asahigawa Kita opened the gates to a 21-1 victory.

The favorite out of the Sorachi Regional, Komadai Iwamizawa crusied through their 1st game, defeating Takikawa Nishi 7-0 in 8 innings. Their next opponent will be Asahigawa Ryokuryou whose 3 runs in the 5th was enough to defeat Bibai 3-1. I'm waiting for the game on the 3rd between Yuubari and Takikawa Kougyou. With all the troubles that Yuubari has gone through, and the people moving out, it'd be nice to see their team win a game.

Moving onto Kitami, the opening game in Block A was exciting as Kitami Shougyou faced off against Kiyosato. Kitashou had jumped off to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning, but Kiyosato fought back. Down 3-1 and running out of time, Kiyosato scored 2 runs in the 7th to tie the game. Then in the bottom of the 9th, Kiyosato pushed through the winning run against reliever Kadoma.

Unfortunately, almost all the games in the region thereafter were called games. Kitami Hokuto's 9-2 victory against Saroma was one of the closer games, while Shari fell at the hands of Kitami Hakuyou 15-0 in 5.

Tokachi's regional featured a lot of good games. In Block A, Shimizu had just gone ahead 2-1 in the 5th when Taiki scored 4 in the bottom of the frame. And while Shimizu came back with 2 runs in the 6th, they couldn't put through the tying run. Otofuke had a 3-1 lead after 1, only to see Honbetsu tie it up in the 3rd, and with the pressure on scored one in the 7th and an insurance run in the 9th to advance.

Block B sees Obihiro Kita advance with a 6-2 victory against Obihiro Sanjyou. But they must now defeat Shirakaba Gakuen today if they want their Koshien run to continue. And in Block C, Hiro-o holds off Memuro 2-1 to advance to the 2nd round.

Finally in Kushine the best game so far was between Kushiro Shougyou and Kiritappu. Kusshou had scored 5 early for an early lead. But that instantly evaporated when Kiritappu scored 5 to equalize. Crooked numbers were put up in the 6th, with Kiritappu pulling ahead 7-6. All seemed lost for Kusshou when in the 9th they scored 2 runs. And Oda, the 3rd pitcher of the day, shut the door for the 8-7 win.

Moving to the Minami Hokkaido regionals, Hakodate has finished theirs. Hakodate Fuzoku Yuuto earns the first spot defeating Shiritsu Hakodate 7-0 in 7 innings. Hakodate Kougyou defeated Hakodate Chuubu 13-1 in 5 innings for the 2nd. And finally, Hakodate Ootani squeaks through with a 1-0 win against Hakodate Shougyou.

Sapporo's 7 bids are also set:

• Block A - Eniwa Minami was up 6-2 against Sapporo Shinkawa. But then, Sapporo Shinkawa mounts a huge rally, scoring 2 in the 8th and another 2 in the 9th to put it into extras! And the momentum is just too much for Eniwa Minami as Kawamura gives up the sayonara run in the 10th.
• Block B - Sapporo Sousei, after just going up 3-0 against Sapporo Moiwa, saw that lead shrink to 1 in the 7th. But Moiwa couldn't put the douten run across...
• Block C - The Eniwa schools just can't catch a break. Eniwa Kita, up 5-0 against Sapporo Asahigawa sees them rally back with 5 in the 5th to tie. 4 runs in the 7th spell the death blow for Eniwa Kita.
• Block D - Sapporo Kita jumps out to an early 3-0 lead on Tokaidai Dai-yon and never looks back, winning 4-2.
• Block E - Kokusai Jyouhoku had no chance against Hokkai Gakuen Sapporo. Hokkai Gakuen scores 7 runs in the 2nd en route to a 12-2 win.
• Block F - Sapporo Okadama also takes an early lead on Sapporo Ryuukoku. Down 4-1 in the 9th, Ryuukoku's rally runs short though as they can only plate 2 runs.
• Block G - Last year's participant Hokkai won a slug fest against Sapporo Nichidai 7-6 to advance to the block final. But Sapporo Dai-ichi would not be denied, shutting out the squad for a 1-0 victory and a spot in the sweet 16.

Rain washed out the anticipated games yesterday in Muroran. These included Mukawa vs. Muroran Shimizugaoka in Block B, and Komadai Tomakomai vs. Shizunai in Block C.

Elsewhere in the brackets, Abuta fell to Muroran Ootani 21-1 in 5 innings in Block C. In Blcok D, crooked numbers littered the Biratori-Hobetsu matchup. Tied 3-3 in the 2nd, Biratori scores 4 unanswered runs. Then up 7-4, they score another 3 runs in the 8th to go up 10-4. But Biratori's ace Sumiyoshi could not hold the lead. Hobetsu scores 2 in the 8th, and then 5 in the 9th inning for the stunning 11-10 win.

And finally the Otaru regionals started yesterday at Otaru Sakuragaoka Stadium. After the teams traded runs in the 5th inning, Iwanai scores what would be the go-ahead run in the 6th to defeat Otaru Chouryou 2-1. And finally, Furubira scores 4 in the 5th to take a 4-2 lead against Niki Shougyou. But Nikishou comes back with a run immediately in the bottom half of the frame, and another run in the 7th to equalize. The final dagger comes in the 9th as Furubira's Yamazaki gives up the sayonara run.

And across the country in Okinawa, the 2nd weekend of competion has concluded. Top 4 seed Chubu Shougyou had trouble with Kadena pushing through the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th for a 3-2 victory. Urasoe Shougyou fulfills their part of the bargain with a 9-0 rout of Hentona to face Chubu Shougyou. And Chubu will have their hands full.

In other 1st round games, Nago Shougyou squeaks by with a 2-0 win against Hokubu Nourin. Kouyou faded late against Urasoe, giving up 5 runs in the 7th to a 8-1 mercy loss.

Top seed Kounan under Shimabukuro wins their first game 2-0 against Misato. Their next opponent will be Shuri, who dispatched Chinen 10-0 in 6. Koza advances with a 4-2 win over Okinawa Shougaku. And Naha Kougyou up 7-1 survives a late charge from Okinawa Tousen. They score 2 in the 8th and the 9th, but still fall 7-5.

In 2nd round action, the fireworks didn't start for Tomishiro and Naha Shougyou until extra frames. Tied 1-1 since the 3rd, Tomishiro scores 2 in the top of the 12th. With their backs against the wall, Naha Shougyou somehow comes back to score 3 runs for the 4-3 sayonara victory. Ginowan, nursing a 1-0 lead scores 2 insurance runs in the 7th against Okinawa Kougyou. They needed those runs as Okinawa Kougyou rallies in the 9th. They come within 1, but it's not enough.

So that's a wrap for recaps for now. I'll be back with review for the Kyushu prefectures.