Japan’s Oshu City little league team members, staff, and coach Toru Ohtani who is Shohei Ohtani’s father, pose for photo at the arrival of Los Angeles International Airport on August 5. (Source: Aurelie Mattucci/Facebook)
Torrance, CA – The City of Torrance, in collaboration with 310 Baseball, hosted the Torrance Friendship Games from August 8-10, 2025, welcoming Oshu’s Kanegasaki Little Senior youth baseball players from Oshu, Japan.
The event, held at various locations including North High School, Kendall Field, and South High School, aimed to celebrate international friendship, youth athletics, and economic collaboration.
Notable attendees included North High Principal Paul Niitake, Manager Toru Ohtani who is father of LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, Mayor George Chen, and Councilman Jon Kaji. The games featured three days of baseball, culminating in a final match at South High School on Sunday, August 10.
The inaugural Friendship Games highlighted the friendship city relationship between Torrance and Oshu, which began in October 2024. Toru Ohtani managed the Kanegasaki Little Senior, which played against local Torrance teams.
Ohtani emphasized the importance of not pressuring young players, stating, "These years, 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds are really important years for growing up … don't push it."
The event also included an economic development meeting between Torrance and Oshu representatives, focusing on future business investments, tourism development, and education and innovation exchange.
Mayor George K. Chen remarked, "Hosting the Torrance Friendship Games is about more than just baseball; it creates meaningful opportunities to promote international friendships, tourism, and lay the groundwork for future economic development and global partnerships."
The Torrance Friendship Games were free to attend, with exhibition games held at North High School on Friday, August 8, an opening ceremony and games at Kendall Field on Saturday, August 9, and final games at South High School on Sunday, August 10.
(Source: KCAL News, Torrance Breeze Newspaper, Jonathan Kaji on Facebook)
Toru Ohtani (left), father of Shohei Otani, and Jon Kaji who is a driving force of Torrance- Oshu Friendship City relations. (Source: Jonathan Kaji/Facebook)
