Hanamaki Higashi Baseball: International Players & Team Diversity

Almost half of Hanamaki Higashi’s baseball team members are from outside the prefecture, including those from the United States and Germany[Photo Special Feature 1/4]| Mainichi Shimbun

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Hanamaki Higashi players rush off the bench after winning the Tohoku Regional Tournament at Hanamaki Stadium in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, October 17, 2025, 12:56 p.m. (Photo by Ayano Tanaka)
Hanamaki Higashi’s Fumiya Akama stands at bat during the semifinals of the Tohoku Regional Tournament at Kitagin Ball Park in Morioka City, October 14, 2025, 2:23 p.m. (Photo by Ayano Tanaka)
Kenshin Mantani of Hanamaki East pitches hard in the Tohoku Regional Tournament finals at Hanamaki Stadium in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, 11:46 a.m. on October 17, 2025. Photo by Ayano Tanaka
[Hanamaki Higashi 3-2 Hachinohe Gakuin Kosei]Hanamaki Higashi players rejoice after winning the championship at Hanamaki Stadium in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture on October 17, 2025. Photo by Naoki Watanabe