Korean high school turns to Japan's Koshien champion to seek lessons in winning

Gyeongju High School’s baseball team is turning to one of Japan’s high school baseball powerhouses, Chiben Wakayama, to learn what it takes to win a national title. The team traveled to Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture on Sept. 9 for joint training with Chiben Wakayama’s players. The visit went beyond a friendly exchange, offering a firsthand look at the training methods, player development and team management behind the Japanese school’s success. The two schools face similar circumstances. Chiben Wakayama is about 70 kilometers from Osaka, Japan’s fiercely competitive high school baseball hub. Gyeongju High is about 66 kilometers from Daegu, home to several baseball powerhouses. Neither has a separate budget for scholarships or scouting to recruit top players. Their rosters are also similar in size, with about 12 players per grade at Gyeongju and around 13 at Chiben Wakayama. Their national records, however, tell different stories. Founded in 1982, Gyeongju’s baseball team has become a leading force in North Gyeongsang Province but has yet to win a national title. Since finish