[Connecting the Future of Youth Baseball] Sense Trust Becomes Title Sponsor of Japan's Largest Youth Baseball Tournament, the "Pop Athlete Cup"
Sense Trust Co., Ltd. has become the title sponsor of the "Pop Athlete Cup," one of Japan's largest youth baseball tournaments. Empathizing with the tournament's philosophy of providing equal opportunities for children to challenge themselves, the company will support the future of the baseball community.
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- 📰 Published: May 15, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 15, 2026 at 12:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 13:18 (45 min after Collected)
Sense Trust Co., Ltd. (HQ: Osaka City, Osaka; CEO: Yasuhito Imanaka; hereafter 'Sense Trust') is pleased to announce that it has become the title sponsor of the 'Pop Athlete Cup,' one of Japan's largest youth baseball tournaments with approximately 2,000 elementary school teams participating nationwide.
This year's tournament will be held under the name 'Sense Trust Tournament 20th Pop Athlete Cup for the Senichi Hoshino Flag.'
What is the 'Pop Athlete Cup,' Japan's Largest Youth Softball Tournament?
The 'Pop Athlete Cup' is one of Japan's largest youth softball tournaments, held annually from May to December. Approximately 2,000 teams from across the country participate, competing fiercely for a spot in the finals at Meiji Jingu Stadium (tentative). Alongside the 'McDonald's Tournament,' the 'Koshien for elementary schoolers' held in the summer, it is known as one of the representative tournaments in the youth baseball world, with many children challenging for the title of 'Winter's Best in Japan.'
A major feature is that it continues to be 'free to participate.' It provides a venue where all children can equally challenge themselves toward their dreams.
The late Senichi Hoshino is listed as the Permanent Honorary Chairman, and Alex Ramirez currently serves as the Chairman.
Background of Title Sponsorship
Under our mission 'To deliver one-of-a-kind, moving experiences,' our company has been dedicated to delivering inspiration to many people through social contribution activities, including support for the professional baseball sphere.
The decision to sponsor this tournament was based on a deep empathy for the tournament's sentiment of 'continuing to provide equal opportunities for all children to challenge themselves.'
We believe that the future-bearing children striving with all their might towards a single goal, putting in daily effort and challenging themselves, and sharing joy and frustration with their teammates—each and every one of these experiences leads to their growth and becomes the power to forge their future.
With this in mind, we decided to become the title sponsor of the 'Pop Athlete Cup' to support an environment where children can be absorbed in their challenges and to help expand the base of the baseball world.
While inheriting the passion of everyone who has supported the tournament thus far, we will strive to create an environment where children all over Japan can devote themselves to baseball.
Comment from the Representative (CEO Yasuhito Imanaka)
I am greatly honored to serve as the title sponsor of the Pop Athlete Cup. Having dedicated myself to baseball from a young age and striven with my teammates for major tournaments just like all of you, I feel a deep sense of emotion to be involved in a tournament that supports children who are now chasing their dreams. I learned many important things through chasing my dreams in baseball. I am sincerely looking forward to witnessing the children of the next generation draw big dreams and grow with their peers through this tournament. We will fully support this tournament so that it becomes a place where all of you can shape your dreams.
Event Schedule
Opening Ceremony
Saturday, May 23, 2026 / Venue: Kura Sushi Stadium Sakai
Prefectural Qualifiers
May - August 2026
Regional Climax (Regional Representative Deciding Match)
September - November 2026
Final Tournament
December 2026 / Venue: Meiji Jingu Stadium (tentative)
This year's tournament will be held under the name 'Sense Trust Tournament 20th Pop Athlete Cup for the Senichi Hoshino Flag.'
What is the 'Pop Athlete Cup,' Japan's Largest Youth Softball Tournament?
The 'Pop Athlete Cup' is one of Japan's largest youth softball tournaments, held annually from May to December. Approximately 2,000 teams from across the country participate, competing fiercely for a spot in the finals at Meiji Jingu Stadium (tentative). Alongside the 'McDonald's Tournament,' the 'Koshien for elementary schoolers' held in the summer, it is known as one of the representative tournaments in the youth baseball world, with many children challenging for the title of 'Winter's Best in Japan.'
A major feature is that it continues to be 'free to participate.' It provides a venue where all children can equally challenge themselves toward their dreams.
The late Senichi Hoshino is listed as the Permanent Honorary Chairman, and Alex Ramirez currently serves as the Chairman.
Background of Title Sponsorship
Under our mission 'To deliver one-of-a-kind, moving experiences,' our company has been dedicated to delivering inspiration to many people through social contribution activities, including support for the professional baseball sphere.
The decision to sponsor this tournament was based on a deep empathy for the tournament's sentiment of 'continuing to provide equal opportunities for all children to challenge themselves.'
We believe that the future-bearing children striving with all their might towards a single goal, putting in daily effort and challenging themselves, and sharing joy and frustration with their teammates—each and every one of these experiences leads to their growth and becomes the power to forge their future.
With this in mind, we decided to become the title sponsor of the 'Pop Athlete Cup' to support an environment where children can be absorbed in their challenges and to help expand the base of the baseball world.
While inheriting the passion of everyone who has supported the tournament thus far, we will strive to create an environment where children all over Japan can devote themselves to baseball.
Comment from the Representative (CEO Yasuhito Imanaka)
I am greatly honored to serve as the title sponsor of the Pop Athlete Cup. Having dedicated myself to baseball from a young age and striven with my teammates for major tournaments just like all of you, I feel a deep sense of emotion to be involved in a tournament that supports children who are now chasing their dreams. I learned many important things through chasing my dreams in baseball. I am sincerely looking forward to witnessing the children of the next generation draw big dreams and grow with their peers through this tournament. We will fully support this tournament so that it becomes a place where all of you can shape your dreams.
Event Schedule
Opening Ceremony
Saturday, May 23, 2026 / Venue: Kura Sushi Stadium Sakai
Prefectural Qualifiers
May - August 2026
Regional Climax (Regional Representative Deciding Match)
September - November 2026
Final Tournament
December 2026 / Venue: Meiji Jingu Stadium (tentative)