The Samurai Japan University Team took home the Prague Baseball Week crown after defeating Chinese Taipei in the finals, 5-3.
After falling into a 2-0 hole, Tsubasa Yoshino and Kengo Yanagidate hit RBI singles to level the game after one. Japan and Chinese Taipei would trade blows before Nishikawa Shiho gave Japan the lead. Chinese Taipei had no answer for reliever Nakamura Yuto as he ended the 8th and 9th scoreless, securing the win for Japan.
Japan would end Prague Baseball Week 2-0 against Chinese Taipei, having previously defeated them in group play on Sunday. Japan also made easy work of the hosting Czech Republic, beating them 9-3.
Japan’s success in the Prague Baseball Week matched the tournament’s success, reaching new heights in attendance records. In 2023, the attendance for the event over four days eclipsed 500. This year, the attendance for the event was over 5,000 over four days. Monday’s matchup between Japan and the Czech Republic also saw a new single-day attendance record of 1,589 spectators.
The popularity of international baseball has been climbing since last year’s WBC, and crowds are beginning to take notice. In Asia and Europe, more fans are watching international baseball in person and online.
Today, the Japanese team will travel to the Netherlands to prepare for the 31st Haarlem Baseball Week.
Photo Courtesy of Czech Baseball on X
