Hometown Stories

Auntie Baseball (2022x15)

Air date: Jul 03, 2022

Kids in Osaka Prefecture rarely call Tanahara Yasuko by her real name. Instead, they affectionately refer to her as simply, Auntie. For decades, this 82-year-old baseball coach has used tough love to get the best out of her young players both on and off the field. She's a local legend, and her 140-member team is a powerhouse in Japan's Little Leagues. Auntie is a moral compass for the children she mentors – especially those who must navigate sport and school while growing up in single-parent households.