History

2001：
October	Held our first amateur baseball game at Osaka Dome
December	Established the Amateur Baseball Ashinaga Foundation
2002：
April	Held first game at Nagoya Dome
September	Held first game at Fukuoka Dome
2003：
February	Held first game at Sapporo Dome
March	Held first dome tournament at Osaka Dome
April	Held first game at Tokyo Dome
November	Held first national game at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium Representative teams from Sapporo, Tokyo and Osaka Domes The first place in Japan was Kameoka municipal office from Osaka Dome
December	Renamed the tournament as “KUSA1”
2004：
January	First joint hosted KUSA1 with Osaka City Dome Corp.
March	The website was developed The Tokyo Dome game was held in cooperation with Tokyo Dome Corp.
April	Became a sponsor of “Kusa Yakyu No Mado”
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2004 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium Hirakara Ebisu from Osaka Dome won the Japanese championship of Kusa1
2005：
April	Cooperated in the development of baseball field at Saigon South School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
June	Became a sponsor of Baseball Federation of Asia
August	Met with Myanmar International Team and donated baseball goods.
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2005 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. J Club from Tokyo Dome won the Japanese championship
2006：
March	Manner Improvement Campaign was launched
July	The business of Kusa1 Boys and Girls Opening Ceremony was launched
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2006 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium Marvelous from Tokyo Dome won the Japanese championship
2007：
June	The English page website was developed
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2007 at Sapporo Dome Windows from Tokyo Dome won the Japanese championship
2008：
November	The approach of the global environment consideration is begun
October	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2008 at Nagoya Dome Ryusyouin from Tokyo Dome won the Japanese championship
December	Held first game at Jingu Stadium
2009：
February	The secretariat moves from Hirakata City to Osaka City Chuo Ward
September	Held first game at Seattle Safeco fielda (major league baseball stadium)
October	Met with Columbia Team and contribute.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2009 at Fukuoka Yahoo Dome Dreem Sapporo from Sapporo Dome won the Japanese championship
December	Held first game at Seibu Dome
2010：
October	Make an inspection of Kurinoki farm and stadium in Hokkaido Kuriyama Town.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2010 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Sapporo from Sapporo Dome , BRIGS from Kyosera Dome Osaka , Team.T.O from Sapporo Dome and Sraggers from Kyosera Dome Osaka won the Japanese championship.
December	Make an inspection of Temmu stadium in Taiwan Taitei City.
2011：
January	Met with Sri Lanka ameture baseball/softball association coordinator in Japan.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2011 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. BM Knights from Tokyo Dome , Team Is-L from Kyosera Dome Osaka won the Japanese championship.
2012：
April	The desk of secretariat puts in Sendai City
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2012 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium.Jasty from Wakayama Prefecture won the Japanese championship.
2013：
October	facebook starts
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2013 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Shinden Clib from Osaka Prefecture, N-mec East Japan Co.,Ltd. from Niigata Prefecture won the Japanese championship.
2014：
September	Met with people concerned in San Francisco at Consulate.
November	Kusa1 Japan Series 2014 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium became the rainout We will hold it in the next year.
2015：
October	Held the international game with the American team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in Tokyo Dome
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2014 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Kouseiren Takaoka Hospital from Toyama Prefecture won the Japanese championship.
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2015 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. GOLD from Chiba Prefecture won the Japanese championship.
2016：
May	Held the international game with the Taiwan team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in Tokyo Dome.
October	Make an inspection of Taiwanese Highschool baseball Tournament in Taichung City.
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2016 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Eight from Tokyo won the Japanese championship.
2017：
January	Participate the Seattle Mariners Fantasy Camps in Mesa Arizona.
August	Bigin donation to junior high school team in Sri Lanka.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2017 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium GOLD from Chiba Prefecture the second won the Japanese championship.
2018：
April	Held first game at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan.
May	The desk of secretariat moves from Sendai City to Tokyo Shijuku Ward.
September	Held first game at Yokoyama Stadium.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2018 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Edogawa Express from Tokyo won the Japanese championship.
2019：
July	Participate Field of Dreams Ballgame Event in Dyersville Iowa.
August	Baseball Stadium inspection. St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee.
September	Held the international game with the American team,Kusa1 World Cup in Yokohama Olympic Stadium.
2020：
September	We worked on prevention of infection spread of COVID-19
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2020 at Osaka-dome Stadium. Big Dipper from Tokyo the second won the Japanese championship.
2021：
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2021 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Risky from Tokushima won the Japanese championship.
December	The website was developed support a smartphone.
2022：
August	“KUSA1” trademark registration in Japan Patent Office.
June	Instagram starts
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2022 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Ikaruga Tigers from Nara won the Japanese championship.
2023：
August	Held the international game with the Taiwan team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in Kyocera Dome Osaka.
September	Held the international game with the Korea team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in Tokyo Dome.
December	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2023 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Champion from Tokushima and PHALANX from Osaka won the Japanese championship.
2024：
August	Hanshin Koshien Stadium 100th anniversary, we made the Kusa1 Japan Series championship flag.
September	Held the international game with the Taiwan team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA.
November	Angel Stadium of Anaheim Ballgame Event in Anaheim California.
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2024 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. LBP headquarters from Hyogo won the Japanese championship.
2025：
August	Held Memorial game for “Mr. Baseball”Shigeo Nagashima at Tokyo Dome
November	Held Kusa1 Japan Series 2025 at Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium. Champion from Tokushima won the Japanese championship.

Held first game at Seattle Safeco fielda (major league baseball stadium)

KUSA１WorldCup

KUSA１ World Cup Sep.17.2019

Purpose

To maintain interchange between Japan and US through sandlot baseball games
To send an earnest message that the expression of the happiness of the baseball be adopted again to the Olympic games

Summary

Schedule	Tusday, September 17, 2019
Place	Yokohama Stadium(Tokyo2020 Olympic Stadium)

Result

Yokohama Samura JAPAN

4－8

Johnny B’s（U.S.A.）

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Signed ball of the friendship

Players Friendship

Party after the Game

Staff

Photograph

KUSA１WorldCup

KUSA１ World Cup Sep.17.2016

We held the international game with the American team,Kusa1 World Cup in Tokyo Dome. .I deepened Japan-U.S. friendship through it.

Purpose

To maintain interchange between Japan and US through sandlot baseball games
To send an earnest message that the expression of the happiness of the baseball be adopted again to the Olympic games

Summary

Schedule	Saturday, September 17, 2016
Place	Tokyo Dome

Result

Play at the Plate（U.S.A.）

10－3

SUNS（Japan）

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Prize Winners

Victory：Play at the Plate（U.S.A）

MVP：Tommy Gerber from Play at the Plate（U.S.A）

Excellent Player：Tsunekazu Goto from SUNS（Japan）

Party after the Game

Photograph

KUSA１WorldCup

KUSA１ World Cup May.29.2016

Purpose

To send an earnest message that the baseball be adopted again to the Olympic games
To maintain interchange between Japan and Tawan through sandlot baseball games

Summary

Schedule	Sunday, May 29, 2016
Place	Tokyo Dome

Result

Rakuten (Taiwan)

9－9

Chinhua（Taiwan）

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Team

Team Flags

Unpire

Photograph

KUSA１WorldCup

KUSA１ World Cup Oct.4.2015

We held the international game with the American team,Kusa1 World Cup for the first time in Tokyo Dome.

Purpose

五輪

To send an earnest message that the baseball be adopted again to the Olympic games
To maintain interchange between Japan and US through sandlot baseball games

Summary

Schedule	Sunday, October 4, 2015
Place	Tokyo Dome

試合結果

White Bulls (Japan)

9－1

Play at the Plate（U.S.A）

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Scott Green from Play at the Plate in USA

First-pitch Ceremony

Shoudai Tokura from Okegawa-east elementary school

Players after the Game

Photograph

KUSA１WorldSeries

KUSA１ World Series

At the Ichiro’s home ground, Safeco Field in Seattle, KUSA1’s monumental baseball event was held and many players from Japan as well as Japanese and Americans in Seattle got together. This is first time for all of them to play sandlot games in a Major League ball park. They pitched, hit, caught, ran and jumped over the entire field. It tightened the friendship between Japan and US.

Purpose

To send an earnest message that the baseball be adopted again to the Olympic games
To maintain interchange between Japan and US through sandlot baseball games

Summary

Schedule	Monday, September 21, 2009
Place	Safeco field in Seattle

Result

Sluggers, Osaka	7－1	Japan Volunteer Team
Japan	9－1	USA

Prize Winners

Victory Prize：Japan, Manager, Tetsuya Ishikawa (Sluggers)
For leading the team to a splendid win as the first manager of the Japan team representing all the Japanese sandlot baseball teams

MVP：Japan, #18, Yutaka Mori (Sluggers)
For an extreme success of making four hits a day being the true “slugger” of Japan

Excellent Player : Sluggers, #27, Tomohito Tanimoto
For becoming the winning pitcher of the game versus Japan Volunteer Team with an excellent quality

Excellent Player : Japan Volunteer Team, #2, Yoshitaka　Inoue (Seattle NCJLT)
For scoring by stealing bases and excellent base running technique

Excellent Player : Japan, #16, Yu　Imai (Sluggers)
For running round and round the diamond with fantastic hits

Excellent Player : USA, #37, Jason Lambacker (Downtown Seattle Mariners)
For making good results both in pitching and batting

The KUSA１ Player Gave a Ceremonial First Pichi in the Official Major Baseball Game

Sluggers’ Tamayama and Seattle’s Hiro, both the members of KUSA1 World Series 2009, made big rolls giving a ceremonial first pitch in the official Major League Baseball game, Mariners vs Twins, held in the Safeco Field in Seattle on September 24, 2010.
Both wearing an uniform of the local Mariners, Mr.Tamayama as a pitcher and Mr.Hiro as a catcher, made a great performance in front of a large spectators of 30,000. Congratulations to both!

Comments from the participants before Departure

T.H. (Kanagawa prefecture)
I’m usually a quiet person but I am too excited to visit the Major League stadium. I definitely will enjoy this event so that it will be the treasure of my entire life.

Y.I. (Osaka prefecture)
Almost everyday thesedays, I am watching Major League games on TV and looking at a map of Seattle. I feel like being already in Safeco Field. I am just excited.

K.M. (Kyoto prefecture)
It is just unbelievable that my first international travel be the experience of playing in the Major League stadium. I even still don’t know how to exchange bills. But I want to try my best in a performance.

T.I. (Osaka prefecture)
I am looking forward to a match against the US team. I think we should win ‘cause Japanese rubber balls are used in games. I feel a pressure of representing the Japanese flag.

S.Y. (Seattle city)
I played softball when I was in an elementary school. Also I had enjoyed playing baseball with my colleague in office. Before coming to Seattle, I coached young kids at baseball.　I am looking forward to my first playing game in Seattle.

K.K. (Seattle city)
I am really excited to play baseball in Safeco Field. I can’t believe I can play baseball in the Field where Ichiro and Jojima play. This opportunity will have never been happened in my life again, so I will enjoy the game. Lastly, I really thank to Kusa1.

Safeco Field where KUSA1 World Series was held

KUSA１WorldSeries

Ceremony

2009年9月21日 by 管理人

Ceremony

Safeco Field

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Opening Speech from the Event Organizer

Ladies and gentlemen, I think you are too excited to start the KUSA1 World Series 2009. What are you here to? You came here to make a new history in sandlot baseball. And you came here to brighten up your life. I hope that this historical event today contribute to the revival of baseball in the Olympic Games. Let’s just have fun!

The Congratulatory Address from Mr. Takashi Kuchii, Seattle Japanese Consulate General

Congratulations to all for having this event. Three months ago, when I heard you were trying to have sandlot baseball at Safeco field, I thought “What a ridiculous idea!” But now I know dreams could come true. You are standing now in a field of dreams. I hope interchange between the two countries will last following this event.

選Player’s Oath, Japan, #16, Yu Imai (Sluggers)

Hello Seattle. Hello Safeco Field. Hello baseball fans who are here and who are not here. We believe it doesn’t matter where and what country you are from, and what language you speak. We all speak baseball. Baseball means Unity!

First-pitch Ceremony

Pitcher：Seattle Moose (Mariners’ mascot)
Batter：David Lee “Dave” Henderson (ex. Major Leaguer)

Players after the Game

Award Ceremony and After-event Party

KUSA１WorldSeries

Interviews

2009年9月21日 by 管理人

Interviews

Japan, Manager, #30 Tetsuya Ishikawa (Sluggers)

(He is the initial Member of the team since ’84.)
The Koshien Stadium in Japan was great but Safeco Field was tremendously great. Just fantastic! “I will be a right fielder like Ichiro,” said everyone. That’s why I rotated the outfielders. Also it was amazing to hear that my private locker is the one A. Rod had been using till yesterday.

#0, Takamitsu Tokuyama (Sluggers)

In spite of my recent joining the sluggers, I already could get a big chance like this. I am really happy to be on the same stage as among Major Leaguers like Matsui or Ichiro.

#1, Hiroshi Tamayama (Sluggers)

(He represents players in forties.)
Through this chance of playing with American players, I actually could find there are a lot of people who love baseball and make their effort in baseball. I think it becomes a good motivation for my future baseball career.

#2, Masahiro Kubono (Sluggers)

(He is a specialist of stealing bases!!)
Befor coming to US, I have got a passport and a new suitcase. Also I bought a digital camera and it was the most useful thing I brought.

#5, Taiji Kitayama (Sluggers)

It was the best thing for me to share how much we love baseball with my team mates and local players. We could be one through baseball. The memory of being a catcher when Moose, the Mariners’ mascot did a ceremonial first pitch is unforgettable.

#15, Wataru Iijima (Sluggers)島亘選手

It was a miracle having moved from Kanto to Osaka, then it was the other miracle having joined the Sluggers. Having played in the Safeco Field is also another miracle. Thanks to all these miracles.

#16, Yutaka Imai (Sluggers)

(He was chosen as an excellent player. He is Ichiro of the Sluggers. Area 51 is his.)
I have been under a big pressure for days for taking a player’s oath. Actually I was the sole Japanese person who took an oath in that place. It was a true “Field of Dreams”.

18, Yutaka Mori (Sluggers)

(He was chosen as the MVP of the event. He showed us fantastic performances of making four hits a day. He is called Mr. Full-swing and his batted ball is the fastest in Japan.)
I really would like to thank encounter with the manager Ishikawa and Sluggers.

#19, Yuuhei Nikubo (Sluggers)

(He is the most handsome guy in the team.)
The pitching mound in a Major League ball park really fits me. But, I was really upset when I gave a dead ball to the first American player in the Major League ball park.

#27, Tomohito Tanimoto (Sluggers)

(He was chosen as an excellent player.)
I became the ace pitcher of the team by earning the win at Safeco Field. I’m glad to record my name on the history of Japanese sandlot baseball.

Assistant, Manami Kitayama (Sluggers)

(As an assistant, she supports the team behind the scenes.)
Good job to everyone! You guys were so cool. I really want to come back to this place with all of you.

Cheerleader, Tomoyo Nomura (Sluggers)

(Actually she is a private cheerleader of Iijima!)
At first, I didn’t believe that a sandlot baseball team plays in a Major League Baseball stadium. I couldn’t quite get the meaning of it. But now I can tell you I did the greatest experience.

Cheerleader, Izumi Maeda (Sluggers)

It was really a good experience for me to see everyone’s cool performances in the Safeco Field.

Team crew, Hiroo Dewa (Sluggers)

All players were really shining and dazzling in the field. I am so much grateful for my experience of standing on the field with everyone.

#5, Kouichi Morishita (Speed Dangerous)

(He improved his skill as a third baseman in Kyoto, then tried his skill in Seattle.)
I have traveled abroad for the first time this time, I had just great memories having played in the Safeco Field.

#10, Masayuki Kamada (Speed Dangerous)

(He has been devoted to pitcher for sixteen years. He thanks everyone for his experience of pitching in a dream stage! )
I could watch a game of Mariners vs Yankees, and also I could watch Ichiro’s performance. Then I can not believe that I was able to play in the same field.

#25, Tatsuya Kamada (Black Winds)

(He is a southpaw earnestly having pitched at Kyocera Dome Osaka stadium.)
I joined the team representing my team solely and I cannot thank more for my experience of playing baseball with all players. Seattle, I like you very much.

#32, Yoshitaka Inoue (Seattle NCJLT)

(He was chosen as an excellent player.)
I used to play outfield in high school. Now I play mainly infield in the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League.

#2, Kizo Kato (Seattle)

I am really excited to play baseball in Safeco Field.

#51, Hiro (Seattle)

Meeting new people, friendship, an expanding circle of people, I see a great potential in KUSA1. I did not share the feeling like this even with friends in Seattle. Baseball is fantastic! Safeco Field is great! Thanks to KUSA1.

#29, Atsushi Iwata (Seattle)

(He has been a baseball player since kindergarten days. He is a specialist as catcher.)
I came here with my sister and mother. I enjoyed really really a lot. Thank you for the excitement that I can not express in words.

#2, Yasuo Ishii (Seattle)

I played softball when I was in an elementary school. Also I had enjoyed playing baseball with my colleague in office. I coached young kids at baseball.

USA, Manager, #8, Toshi Nishizawa (USA)

Unifying indivisuals with various charactaristics was a tough one. Next time it’s our turn to visit Japan and play. Thanks to the team Japan.
(He gave balls with US member’s autograph to all of Japan team.)
It is unforgettable for me to see people with different languages and races got together and built friendship. Baseball is for not only professionals. In New York as well, I saw many sandlot teams with many races get together with baseball. We should make this spread throughout the world. Let’s make WKBC (World KUSA Baseball Classic)!

#3, Dan Larson (USA)

(He is Mr. Baseball!)
Almost every week, I’m playing baseball. But I started dancing with my wife for I wanted to spend more time with her. Then she could have me play baseball.

#6, Jacob “Jake” Staff (USA)

Next time I want to play in Koshien Stadium and watch the Hanshin Tigers’ game there.

#10, Takayoshi “Tak” Kono (USA)

I’ve been really looking forward to playing at Safeco Field. I wish I could make hits. Actually I took a day off for the game, so it’s a bit embarrasing.

#11, Ryuji Mitsuoka (USA)

My parents came to the stadium to see the game. It was a great moment to play in front of them.

#12, Adam Johnson (USA)

(He is 20 years old and a cannon of US team.)
I really wanted to hit a home run at Safeco Field. Let me have one more chance.

#16, Craig Fisher (USA)

I wonder if it was just a dream that I played in the Major Legue stadium.

#37, Jason Lambacker (USA)

(He was chosen as an excellent player.)
I was so excited from the opening ceremony. It was really great. Actually I used live in Fukushima, so I love Japan and Japanese people.

#44, Ty Roberts (USA)

I came here with my girlfriend. I asked her to be a cameraman to record this special moment. She actually did a good job. I was too excited to be on the MLB mound.

#9, Taylor Anthony (USA)

I could make the best memory for myself. I was lucky to join this event.

Ball boy

Ball boy, #80, Eito Nishizawa
Ball boy, #55, Hugo Nishizawa

English

Contact Us

2002年1月1日 by 管理人

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English

Photos from Vietnam

2002年1月1日 by 管理人

History

KUSA１ World Cup Sep.17.2019

Purpose

Summary

Result

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Signed ball of the friendship

Players Friendship

Party after the Game

Staff

Photograph

KUSA１ World Cup Sep.17.2016

Purpose

Summary

Result

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Prize Winners

Party after the Game

Photograph

KUSA１ World Cup May.29.2016

Purpose

Summary

Result

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

Team

Team Flags

Unpire

Photograph

KUSA１ World Cup Oct.4.2015

Purpose

Summary

試合結果

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Player’s Oath

First-pitch Ceremony

Players after the Game

Photograph

KUSA１ World Series

Purpose

Summary

Result

Prize Winners

The KUSA１ Player Gave a Ceremonial First Pichi in the Official Major Baseball Game

Comments from the participants before Departure

Ceremony

Safeco Field

Opening Ceremony

Raising the National Flags and Singing the National Anthems

Opening Speech from the Event Organizer

The Congratulatory Address from Mr. Takashi Kuchii, Seattle Japanese Consulate General

選Player’s Oath, Japan, #16, Yu Imai (Sluggers)

First-pitch Ceremony

Players after the Game

Award Ceremony and After-event Party

Interviews

Japan, Manager, #30 Tetsuya Ishikawa (Sluggers)

#0, Takamitsu Tokuyama (Sluggers)

#1, Hiroshi Tamayama (Sluggers)

#2, Masahiro Kubono (Sluggers)

#5, Taiji Kitayama (Sluggers)

#15, Wataru Iijima (Sluggers)島亘 選手

#16, Yutaka Imai (Sluggers)

18, Yutaka Mori (Sluggers)

#19, Yuuhei Nikubo (Sluggers)

#27, Tomohito Tanimoto (Sluggers)

Assistant, Manami Kitayama (Sluggers)

Cheerleader, Tomoyo Nomura (Sluggers)

Cheerleader, Izumi Maeda (Sluggers)

Team crew, Hiroo Dewa (Sluggers)

#5, Kouichi Morishita (Speed Dangerous)

#10, Masayuki Kamada (Speed Dangerous)

#25, Tatsuya Kamada (Black Winds)

#32, Yoshitaka Inoue (Seattle NCJLT)

#15, Wataru Iijima (Sluggers)島亘選手