Regular readers of Ningin know that I’m a big baseball fan, especially a big New York Yankees fan. Until recently, I thought America had the most passionate baseball fans in the world. Then I watched this documentary by Kenneth Eng on Koshien, the national high school baseball tournament in Japan. Prestigious alumni of Koshien includes current World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui and another World Series ring holder, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Baseball in Japan isn’t just a sport or a national past time, it’s an intricate bond that holds entire communities together on a local level and an entire nation together on a national level. Players don’t play for themselves or their teams, but for their coaches, their schoolmates, their family, and all their friends. Losing in Koshien is the equivalent of letting down all who supported them. I like that these games mean so much. It makes the competition all that more fun to watch and makes playing in them a once in a lifetime opportunity.

This is a beautiful documentary by Eng. It made me realize how little I know about Japanese culture and way of life even though I’m consumed with its music and entertainment. The movie also highlighted class differences between upper class vs everyone else in high school baseball. More money equates to recruiting of better athletes, better facilities, and better chance of success. We’re treated to two different points of view, a perennial winner and a perennial underdog. You end up rooting for both of them.

The film is 53 minutes long and completely free thanks to Hulu. I wouldn’t say this is a must watch, but certainly good for a rainy day. Enjoy!