The 86th Intercity Baseball Tournament (organized by The Mainichi Newspapers and the Japan Baseball Federation), known as the “midsummer classic,” opened last weekend. On the grand stage of Tokyo Dome, hard-fought games are already under way. Through the July 29 final, hot play—and cheering—should continue.
From the 18th opening through the 20th, eight teams have already departed (see the bracket below), and today, the 21st, three more will leave the dome. All three Tokyo sides lost their first games. A pity. That is the severity of single-elimination.
The Mainichi Newspapers’ editorial on opening day, the 18th, was titled “Putting one’s body into a serious contest.” It explained the players’ all-out play: “Very few are drafted by the pros. Most will devote themselves to company work after they retire. They spare nothing because they know they can play baseball only now.” After sketching the history, it called on readers to “enjoy a serious contest with a flavor unlike student or pro ball.” Power that can match the pros, plus the tension of a high-school-style one-and-done tournament—that thrilling mix is what captivates fans.
An “Intercity Festival,” so that people at Tokyo Dome can enjoy more than baseball, also runs through the 26th. It is a regionally colored program that uses the nature of the tournament; this is the ninth edition since 2006 (2011 was skipped). Special tents in the plaza before the main gate (Gate 22) sell local specialties and display travel posters and pamphlets.
From Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture, for example, come miso rice crackers, Hida-beef retort curry and persimmon yokan; from Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, habutae mochi and Echizen soba—appealing goods from across the country.
Upcoming stall dates are as follows.
21st: Zentsuji (Kagawa), Ogose (Saitama), Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Yokohama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Echizen (Fukui)
22nd: Zentsuji, Ogose, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Kitami (Hokkaido), Kitaakita, Hokkaido
23rd: Zentsuji, Moroyama (Saitama), Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Kitami, Kitaakita, Hokkaido
24th: Ogaki (Gifu), Moroyama, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Kitami, Yokohama, Hokkaido
25th: Ogaki, Iruma (Saitama), Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Kitami, Yokohama, Kai (Yamanashi)
26th: Ogaki, Iruma, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, Kitami, Kamagaya (Chiba)
