[Activity Report] Indonesian youth baseball players step onto the mound of the sacred Koshien Stadium! Japan invitation program held ahead of the "Asia Koshien" in December

In December 2026, the "3rd Asia Koshien Tournament," a baseball tournament co-hosted by SHAPE Partners, will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Prior to this, an exchange program called "Asia Koshien All-Star Japan Invitation Program Presented by RENT" was held to select 17 children from among the players who participated in the 2025 tournament and invite them to Japan. This was made possible through the support of Rent Corporation and other partner companies, as well as a grant from the Japan Foundation.

In this report, we will share how the children threw the ceremonial first pitch at Koshien Stadium in front of a huge crowd, and the warm exchanges they had during joint practice sessions with local high school and university students.

■ Asian Baseball Players Travel to Their Dream "KOSHIEN" 

The "Asia Koshien" started in Indonesia in 2024 with the desire to spread the culture of high school baseball to Asia and create a stage where children can set their goals. Looking ahead to the 3rd tournament to be held this December, 17 players were selected as an "All-Star Team" from among approximately 300 past participants and invited to Japan.

■ A First in History! Indonesian Players Throw Ceremonial First Pitch at the Summer Koshien Opening Game

On August 5th, in conjunction with the opening of the 108th National High School Baseball Championship, a dream-like moment came true. Pitcher Teuku Muhammad Emir Raya (18) and catcher Samuel Kurniawan (17), the battery from last year's Asia Koshien winning team, took on the major role of throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the opening game.

Reflecting on the pitch thrown in front of a massive crowd, Pitcher Emir said, "I was amazed by the scale of the stadium and the sheer number of spectators. I felt a wave of emotion like I have never experienced before." This marks the first time in history that Indonesians have stood on the pitcher's mound at Koshien. The "battery" formed at the Asia Koshien standing together on the actual Koshien stage represents a new step in the history of baseball in Japan and Asia.

On the same day, an exchange event called "Asia Community 2026 in Hyogo" was also held with the children, where the All-Star players took the stage to express their passion for baseball.

*For more details, please refer to the press release.
<Asia Koshien> The first-ever Koshien ceremonial first pitch by Indonesians is realized. On the opening day of Summer Koshien, the exchange event "Asia Community 2026 in Hyogo" was held.

■ Exchanges through Baseball Clinics and Joint Practices with Local Students

During this visit to Japan, joint practice sessions were also conducted with junior high school students belonging to Japanese club teams, as well as high schools and universities.

With many players and families eager to play in Japan's Koshien and interested in learning about Japanese discipline and order, they chased the white ball alongside Japanese baseball players and university students, sharing meaningful time that transcended generations, languages, and cultural barriers. Experiencing high-level Japanese play firsthand was an irreplaceable experience for them.

*Thank you very much to everyone who cooperated in the joint practices!

• Kwansei Gakuin University Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbsC3E-oMvH/

• Kan-Medi Baseball Academy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbrojuQRrFn/

• Hanshin Tigers OB: https://hanshintigers.jp/news/topics/info_11143.html

• Higashiosaka College Kashiwara High School

■ Heading into the "Asia Koshien" in December 

The 3rd Asia Koshien, scheduled for this December, is expected to see participation from the Philippines in addition to Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, making it the largest tournament ever with 14 to 16 teams expected to participate.

The SHAPE Group (SHAPE Partners, SHAPE Sports) will continue to fully support the appeal of "KOSHIEN" as it spreads beyond borders, as well as the children's dedicated challenges. Please look forward to the Asia Koshien in December!

■ Scenes in Japan

At Kansai International Airport with Asia Koshien All-Star members and management staff

Commemorative photo of the joint practice with the Junior High Division of Kan-Medi Baseball Academy

Joint practice with Higashiosaka College Kashiwara High School ①

Joint practice with Higashiosaka College Kashiwara High School ②

Deepening exchanges with students from Higashiosaka College Kashiwara High School

Joint practice with Kwansei Gakuin University ①

Joint practice with Kwansei Gakuin University ②

Baseball coaching by Hanshin Tigers alumni