March 12, 2001

LAS VEGAS - The Hustlin' Rebels have picked up an exhibition game Wednesday against Hosei University of Tokyo, Japan. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.

The Hosei University baseball team, whose head coach is the coach of the Japanese national team, is playing several collegiate teams in the United States in March. Among others, the Hosei team played the University of Southern California last week and is scheduled to play Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday evening before heading to Las Vegas.

University baseball has a large following in Japan. Hosei University is part of the Tokyo "Big Six" University Baseball League, the most popular collegiate baseball league in Japan. Other universities making up the Big Six are Keio, Meiji, Rikkyo, University of Tokyo, and Waseda.

Former Hosei players Tabuchi Koichi and Egawa Suguru have gone on to enjoy brilliant professional baseball careers.