Masters Koshien 2026 opens with homer

What happened before and after this story. Background events not previously covered were summarised by AI.

1. 1 Jul 2012Background

   Ohtani's Hanamaki Higashi falls in 2012 Iwate final, missing Koshien

   In July 2012 Shohei Ohtani's Hanamaki Higashi lost the Iwate prefectural final, ending his last chance to play at the summer Koshien.

2. 1 Nov 2025Background

   Masters Koshien alumni tournament held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium

   Former high school baseball players returned to Hanshin Koshien Stadium to play for their alma maters in the Masters Koshien alumni event.

3. 

   14 Nov

   The man who once homered off Shohei Ohtani just hit a grand slam at Koshien

   Daichi Nihashi, 32, once took Shohei Ohtani deep in high school. At Masters Koshien 2026 he hit a first-inning grand slam in an 11–5 win for Morioka Daisan.