Japan-Iowa all-star baseball series set for C.R.

Here's the release from Perfect Game USA of Cedar Rapids:JAPAN-IOWA ALL-STAR BASEBALL CLASSICThe Japan-Iowa All-Star Baseball Classic will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at

Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids.  This special international ballgame will match a high school all-star team from Yamanashi, Japan against a high school all-star team from Iowa that's being assembled by

Perfect Game USA.Tickets are now on sale at the Kernels Ticket Office at the stadium. All tickets cost $5 and are for general admission, with open seating. Tickets also will be sold at the game.The pre-game ceremony on Perfect Game Field will begin at 6:30 p.m., honoring both teams. The single 9-inning game is scheduled for 7 p.m.  The gates open at 5:30 p.m.The game is being sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Perfect Game USA.The Iowa AAU and Iowa Sister States program began a baseball exchange with Japan in 1994. A team from Iowa toured Japan and played several games there last year.The team from Yamanashi will be headquartered in Des Moines during its visit to Iowa this year. The team will play several games in the Des Moines area before traveling to Cedar Rapids for our special game on Aug. 17. The Japanese players, coaches and escorts will stay with host families while in Cedar Rapids, thanks to the efforts of Julie Cain, who teaches Japanese at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.For more information, please contact:Jim Ecker, Information DirectorPerfect Game USA319-432-2889

Jecker@PerfectGame.org