Rafu Wire and Staff Reports
EL SEGUNDO — The two-time Little League World Series championship team from Japan will be in Southern California this weekend for the Beach City Spring Classic Tournament in El Segundo.
Team Kitasuna is returning for the third consecutive year, and seven SoCal teams will compete in the tournament for players 12 years old and younger, at Recreation Park, 401 Sheldon St.
“Three years ago, we were privileged to able to support the Kitasuna Academy after the devastating earthquake in Japan by sponsoring a team trip and hosting the staff, chaperones and players here in Los Angeles,’’ said Richard Murad, the founder of Beach City Baseball Academy. “Through the generosity of members of the Beach City Baseball family who have agreed to open their homes once again, we are able to continue this tradition.’’
The Japanese team was first invited in 2011, after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of that year.
Beach City Baseball Academy in El Segundo includes batting cages, offering custom pitch technology, a fitness center and a 12,000-square-foot outdoor regulation Little League practice infield.