2027 Team

Join the 2027 team

Our next San Mateo all-star team travels to Toyonaka, Japan, October 2-10, 2027, for a week of baseball, homestays and friendship. Tryouts are open to boys and girls who are 11 or 12 years old. Players represent San Mateo on and off the field, and the team is supported 100% by the community.

New to the exchange? Read about its history and what the trip is like on the Baseball Exchange page.

2027 Exchange Timeline in Toyonaka

Apply to tryout for 2027 team

Complete Player tryout registration 2027 form

Join one of our introductory Zoom calls on November 9 and December 2.  We will email all registrants with the time and dial in information for the calls.  

Attend tryouts and interviews on January 23, January 30 and February 6, 2027 at Los Prados Park in San Mateo.

Support the 2027 team

Alumni and Community can help too. Volunteer to be team chaperone or support the cultural education. Parents of the traveling team are not eligible to be chaperones. 

Chaperone registration 2027

Questions? Email smsistercity@gmail.com.

Baseball Exchange FAQ

Who can try out?

Boys and girls who are 11 or 12 years old (Little League age) and live in San Mateo, play in a San Mateo recreational baseball / softball league, or attend a San Mateo school. 

How are players selected?

Players are chosen based on:

• Baseball tryouts

• A written application

• A personal interview

We look for strong athletes who will also be great ambassadors for San Mateo. Selected players practice on the field and attend monthly classes on Japanese culture, basic Japanese, customs, and San Mateo history.

How long is the trip to Toyonaka?

Usually about 10 days, with roughly a week in Toyonaka. The team may spend a day or two first visiting places like Tokyo or Hiroshima.

Where do players stay?

Players are paired with a teammate and stay with a host family in Toyonaka. If the team spends a day or two sightseeing in places like Tokyo or Hiroshima first, players stay in a hotel with their coaches and chaperones.

Can parents come along?

No. Adult coaches, chaperones and Sister City Board members travel with the team.

What documents are needed?

• Passport: Each player needs a passport that is valid for at least six months after the return date.

• Visa (U.S. citizens): No visa is needed for a short visit to Japan.

• Visa (non-U.S. citizens, such as permanent residents): Rules depend on your player's passport, so please check with the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco early and let us know.

Is there practice?

Absolutely.

• When: Practices start after the Spring baseball season in August and run until the team leaves for Japan.

• How often: Field practices and/or hitting are 2-3 days a week in San Mateo.

• Games: We are targeting tune-up tournaments and scrimmages in September.

Players are expected to make the team a priority and attend all practices and culture classes.

What is the schedule for the culture classes?

Culture classes are held monthly starting in April, usually on Sunday afternoons.

Does everyone get equal playing time?

Not necessarily. Playing time depends on practice attendance, teamwork and skill. But this exchange goes far beyond wins and losses.