By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS

Rafu Sports Editor

Well, Koshien reaches its grand finale this weekend, and once again, I’m captivated.

So called after the stadium in which it is played, Koshien is the most commonly used name for the National High School Baseball Tournament in Japan, held in spring and summer each year. Quite possibly the most popular annual sporting event in Japan, the meets rival the popularity of professional baseball, particularly the summer tournament.

Folks from large cities and small towns across the country have been glued to it, much in the way we follow March Madness in college basketball stateside. Teams from all 47 of Japan’s prefectures participate, each having earned their way to Koshien via local qualifying rounds.

On Saturday, Okinawa Shogaku will take on Niho

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