A contingent of 15-year-old baseball players from Japan will be coming to Pullman Park to participate in the annual Friendship Series.
John Evans, a North Allegheny baseball coach, is chairman of the event from the hosts' side.
"This series is entering its 37th year," Evans said. "It was started in Japan as a means for kids to experience each other's culture and way of life."
The Japanese team will play a group of players from the Pittsburgh area in two games at 6 and 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Pullman Park. Five Butler Township 15-year-olds will play in the games.
All five, Alex Ziegler, David Tompkins, Chris Cotton, Cody Williams and Mickey Fennell, are on the Butler Township team that advanced to the Colt East Zone Tournament in New Jersey.
Area players Nick Bole, Cody Herald and Ian Jewart traveled to Japan to play in the Friendship Series last year. The countries alternate years hosting the games.
Lyndora Lancers manager Ron Zawrotuk traveled to Japan with that team.
"That was an unforgettable experience," he said. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
The games will be played using international rules, meaning there will be an exchange of gifts before each game.
Japanese players will stay with host families during their time in the U.S. and will play a series of games in Texas before coming to Butler.
Japan's team will play a game at Duquesne University Aug. 13 as well.
