The number of schools participating in the National High School Baseball Championship in summer continues to decrease, and the number of members is insufficient due to the declining birthrate.

The number of participating schools in the local high school baseball tournament, which will be held for the first time in two years, has decreased to 3603 due to the shortage of members due to the declining birthrate.

According to the summary of the Japan High School Baseball Federation, the number of participating schools in 49 local tournaments aiming for summer national high school baseball, which starts on August 9, is 3603.

This is 127 less than the adult school, peaking at 4163 schools in 2002 and 2003, and has continued to decline.

In addition, the number of coalition teams was 19 due to "special measures for consolidation and abolition" and 107 due to lack of members, totaling 126 teams, 30 more than adults.

On the other hand, at this year's local competition, the largest number of participating schools was 179 in Aichi, and the smallest was 22 in Tottori.