High school baseball returns to Koshien

The 103rd tournament is being held under strict coronavirus protocols to avoid outbreaks, and only people associated with the teams from the 49 participating schools are allowed

I guess the sign carrying girls are mandatory to play baseball?

This marching / line up ceremony looks very safe as far as social distancing is concerned……..

They can’t even get through the first five minutes without being hypocritical about “strict coronavirus protocols.”

We have through years of training sucked the fun out of a game, you the dull witted remain as a teastimont of how a game can become a matter of national pride, rejoice in the heat. Remember it’s not about fun but suffering for the sake of suffering, don’t ever have fun playing this game.

Remember in my neophyte days, suddenly everyone in my Osaka office had vanished. I found them huddled around a TV, watching Koshien. I guess the only amateur American sport which compares is college football.

don’t ever have fun playing this game.

Agreed. I never see the players smiling or having a laugh here, like you do back home. Sports\clubs in Japan are run like paramilitary organizations.

This marching / line up ceremony looks very safe as far as social distancing is concerned……..

Does it, really? Maybe the first row, but all others get more and more of the virus loaded aerosol cloud from those walking and breathing out before. Of course, that safe ‘row’ depends of the wind direction, we cannot tell from the photo, who was safe.

It's events like these that need postponing if we are going to curb the virus

the only way you’re gonna curb the virus, is vaccinations

Is it a military parade ?

I thought it was a sports event to have fun and testing your abilities by socializing.

I guess the sign carrying girls are mandatory to play baseball?

Considering this is a place where cute graduate women are used to bring tea to the office meetings ... yes is it is a mandatory.