Snow-free “Snowball” Warm Winter Shimane January 25 17:47
A snowball fight was held in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, using a soft ball of the size of a beanbag instead of a snowball because snow does not accumulate in the warm winter.
This snowball competition is held every year in Hamada City for the purpose of revitalizing the area, but since the winter is warm and snow does not accumulate, it was done using soft balls instead of snowballs.
Approximately 170 people from the prefecture and outside participated in the tournament, and at the opening ceremony, the representatives of the participants declared that they were "thankful for having a snowball fight even in the warm winter and pledging to fight through."
In the competition, 7 teams are given 45 soft balls 7 cm in diameter and about the size of a beanbag.
The first two-thirds set takes place, and the team with the most players remaining on the court without winning the ball on the opponent's court or hitting the ball wins.
Participants enjoyed the game, talking to the members and throwing the ball or pretending to throw, disturbing the opponent's movement.
A sixth grade elementary school girl from Hiroshima City said, "It's fun when my ball hits and everyone talks out. I wanted to do it even in snow." The tournament will also take place on the 26th.