By Kai Ioh and KE TEAM Hawaii
Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in second home, resort, and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island.
A Personal Memory from the 2023 World Baseball Classic Final
The knockout stage of the World Baseball Classic begins again this week in Houston and Miami.
For most baseball fans, this is simply another exciting international tournament. But for me, the WBC carries a very personal memory.
Three years ago, I had the privilege of attending the 2023 World Baseball Classic Final in Miami, where Japan defeated Team USA in one of the most dramatic games baseball has ever seen.
I traveled from Kona with a client on his private jet — not a bad way to get to a ballgame. Tough job, I know. Please see the video of the trip below.
The next day we even toured a few incredible Miami mansions. My sincere thanks again to Levi Meyer at Compass for helping arrange that unforgettable trip.
Compass, Miami with Levi Meyer
But what happened inside the stadium that night is what made the experience truly special.
The Ohtani vs Trout Moment
2023 WBC Finals | Betts and Trout
If you follow baseball, you probably remember the moment.
The final out of the 2023 championship came down to Shohei Ohtani pitching against Mike Trout, his teammate with the Angels at the time. Two of the best players on the planet, facing each other with the world watching.
The tension inside the stadium was extraordinary. It felt like one of those rare sports moments where everyone understood they were witnessing history.
Even more surreal for me is that the story did not end there.
In 2024, Shohei Ohtani started construction on his training facility and home on the Big Island. In 2025, I actually had the chance to meet Ohtani in person twice. It was a wonderful experience. Truly a nice guy.
Thinking back, that connection really started with the 2023 WBC in Miami.
Life sometimes takes unexpected turns.
Could Another Japan vs USA Final Happen?
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has now entered the knockout stage.
And the possibility of another Japan vs USA final is very real.
2023 WBC US vs Japan
Japan dominated Pool C in Tokyo, finishing 4–0 and looking every bit like the powerhouse they have become. Their next challenge is Venezuela in the quarterfinals at loanDepot Park in Miami — the same stadium where they lifted the trophy three years ago.
Team USA had a more dramatic path. They suffered a surprising loss to Italy during pool play, but still managed to advance.
That early wake-up call may have sharpened their focus heading into the elimination rounds.
If both teams continue winning, the rematch everyone wants could happen in the championship game.
And honestly, I would love to see it.
Baseball in Japan: More Than Just a Game
One of the reasons the World Baseball Classic feels so different internationally is how baseball is viewed in Japan.
Simply put, baseball is still the national sport.
The Koshien High School Tournament is treated almost like a national holiday. Entire communities follow their local teams, and the level of emotion and dedication is extraordinary.
Professional baseball in Japan (NPB) also maintains a remarkably strong following.
Roughly 9% of the population attends professional baseball games, compared with about 3% for professional soccer.
But the real scale becomes clear during the WBC.
The 2023 championship game between Japan and the United States was watched by nearly half of all Japanese television households, even though the game took place on a Tuesday morning in Japan.
Very few events in any country can capture that kind of national attention.
The Ohtani Effect
2023 WBC MVP, Shohei Ohtani
Much of baseball’s recent global growth can be traced to one player: Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani is not just a superstar. In Japan he is arguably the most famous person in the country.
Since joining the Dodgers and winning the 2024 and 2025 World Series, interest in Major League Baseball in Japan has surged. Some games now draw more than 24 million viewers.
Interestingly, Ohtani is playing a slightly different role in this year’s WBC.
Because of previous elbow surgery and a heavy workload with the Dodgers, he is participating only as a hitter rather than pitching. Even without the mound, however, he remains the center of attention.
During the Tokyo round he hit a massive grand slam that sent the stadium into a frenzy.
When Japan arrives in Miami, expect the spotlight to grow even brighter.
America Is Finally Embracing the WBC
For many years, the United States treated the World Baseball Classic somewhat cautiously.
There were concerns about injuries. Many fans saw it as an extension of spring training rather than a true championship. I was like that until 2023.
That perception is changing quickly.
Recent tournaments have featured stronger rosters, younger stars, and increasingly intense competition.
The recent USA vs Mexico game drew more than 5 million viewers, making it the most watched WBC game in American history.
Inside the stadiums, the atmosphere has also evolved.
Latin American fans, Japanese supporters, and American crowds create a global festival that feels very different from a typical MLB game.
In Japan, the WBC feels like a national mission.
In the United States, it feels more like a worldwide baseball celebration.
Both perspectives help explain why the tournament keeps growing.
The Economics of the Tournament
The economic impact also reflects these cultural differences.
If Japan wins the championship again, analysts estimate the economic boost could exceed $650 million, driven largely by merchandise, sponsorships, and national consumer spending.
In the United States, the economic effect is more localized.
Cities like Miami and Houston benefit from tourism, hotels, and visiting fans from Latin America, Japan, and other baseball-loving nations.
It is another reminder that the World Baseball Classic has truly become a global event.
Who Am I Rooting For?
People often ask me this question.
I love both teams.
Growing up in both Japan and the US, I naturally feel proud of Samurai Japan. But living in Hawai‘i, I also enjoy cheering for Team USA.
To complicate things even further, Shohei Ohtani is now building a home on the Big Island next to one of my clients.
That certainly makes it hard not to support Japan.
This year, I am planning to watch the games from Kona rather than flying to Miami.
But you never know.
Back in 2023, my client and I were not originally planning to go either. Then Japan defeated Mexico in one of the most memorable semifinal games in WBC history. The energy was incredible, and we decided on the spot to fly out.
We left Kona at 1:00 in the morning and arrived in Miami around 4:00 in the afternoon.
Private jet magic.
WBC 2023 Private Jet
So this year I will probably watch from home. But if Japan and the United States meet again in the championship game… well, who knows.
I might end up in Miami again.
And if the final delivers anything close to the drama of 2023, baseball fans around the world are in for another unforgettable night.
That is the magic of the World Baseball Classic.