La Jolla Youth Baseball players are gearing up for an exciting international adventure as they prepare to visit Japan as part of the Friendship Games exchange partnership. The exchange began last year when young Japanese baseball players visited La Jolla, and now it’s La Jolla’s turn to travel abroad.
The players, ages 13-15, will be split into two teams, the Stars, and the Stripes, with 10 players on each team. They will compete as part of Team USA in informal games against Japanese teams in cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Kobe. In addition to the games, the players will have the opportunity to take in the sights, participate in ceremonies, and engage in a gift exchange with their Japanese hosts.
LJYB President Rob Robinson expressed his excitement for the unique opportunity, highlighting the chance for the young ballplayers to form international relationships through their shared love of baseball. La Jolla player Ethan Blumenthal shared his excitement for the trip, noting his previous experience hosting Japanese players last year and his eagerness to explore Japan and learn about its culture.
The Friendship Games exchange aims to promote cultural understanding and cooperation through the universal language of baseball. With the mutual appreciation for the game in both the United States and Japan, the exchange provides players with a meaningful cultural experience and the chance to learn and grow through the sport they love.
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