Japan-U.S.A. Friendship Baseball Game in Cedartown, GA

    On August 2, youth baseball teams from Inabe City, Mie Prefecture in Japan and Cedartown, Georgia played each other in the Japan – U.S. Friendship Series in GA, the 2014 Kimoto Cup Baseball.

    This was made possible by Kimoto Co. Ltd, the parent company of Kimoto Tech, Ind. Operating in Cedartown, who sponsors youth baseball tournaments each year at their Mie Plant and brought “All Inabe”, the team consisting the best players in the tournament, to Cedartown this year. At the opening ceremony, Consul General Kazuo Sunaga joined Mr. Kazunobu Kimoto, CEO of Kimoto Co., Ltd. and State Representative Trey Kelly (GA-16) to welcome “All Inabe” and the delegation from Japan as well as Japan-U.S. exchange through baseball.

    The teams played one 90 minute game in the morning, which the Inabe team won 6-0. The Cedartown youth then won 6-1 when the teams faced off again in the afternoon. Kimoto Tech and the City of Cedartown worked together to make the games possible.

    At the end of the program, the teams exchanged gifts and were awarded trophies. During the closing ceremony, the President of Cedartown Kimoto Tech, Miguel Leal said how impressed he was by both teams for their friendliness and sportsmanship, which invited a big applause from the spectators. The games were covered by local radio for live broadcasting.

    In addition, the Consulate staff visited Cedartown at the request of Representative Kerry in order to give a presentation on Japanese culture, customs, and etiquette prior to the Japan-USA friendship baseball game. This Japanese cultural introduction event was attended by Representative Kerry, Cedartown City Manager Fann, and approximately 60 Cedartown residents.

For more information please see:

• http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/polkfishwrap/news/local/help-make-japanese-visitors-for-kimoto-tech-feel-welcome-with/article_6fcd9d98-198d-11e4-be20-001a4bcf6878.html


• http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/polkfishwrap/sports/local/all-stars-host-japanese-team-for-friendship-series/article_badfefa8-1aae-11e4-a285-0017a43b2370.html

Award ceremony

Gift exchange between "All Inabe" and "Cedartown Bulldogs" teams

Gift exchange between "All Inabe" and "Cedartown Bulldogs" teams

The participants in friendly exchange

Cedartown Kimoto Tech President Miguel Leal speaking during the opening ceremony with (from left) Mr. Kazunobu Kimoto,CEO of Kimoto Co., Ltd., CG Sunagae, and State Representative Trey Kelly.

CG Sunaga's speech