Two countries meet

The Japan-Iowa All-Star Classic took place Tuesday night, August 17. A team of high school baseball players from Yamanashi, Japan took on the Iowa Select team of 18 local all-stars. While in town, the Japanese kids took a tour of the city and Veterans Memorial Stadium on Tuesday and had lunch and a tour of Bloomsbury farm on Wednesday.

The team was housed Tuesday evening by host families in the Cedar Rapids area. Prior to the game, the two teams had player introductions and exchanged gifts at home plate. A crowd welcome was conducted by Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett, Convention & Visitors Bureau President Marilee Fowler, and Cedar Rapids Kernels President Gary Keoppel.

Japan won the 7-inning contest 6-4. This was the last leg of games in Iowa for the Japan team before heading back home Friday morning.