Journals of a Team USA 15U Player: Taegan Lermann (Part II… Takasaki City, Japan)

By @BruntjensElla

Team USA stops to see Utsugi Stadium in Japan (l-r) Brooklyn Paratore, Taegan Lermann, Stevie South and Isabella Barge.

Taegan Lermann was the youngest member of the championship-winning 2023 USA U-15 Women’s National Team and has shared with Extra Inning Softball her experiences overseas, including trips to Lima, Peru (click HERE to read about that experience) as well Takasaki City, Japan, which she details below.

When not representing the Red, White & Blue, the Class of 2027 pitcher and utility player from Washington, Texas, competes for Nate Nelson’s Hotshots 16U National squad.

In April of 2023, Taegan was recognized as a Top 10 prospect in the 2027 Extra Elite 100.

Here’s the second of her two-part recap of her traveling to play softball and see far-away parts of the world…

*****

Japan – 2023 Utsugi Cup

Taegan Lermann’s official Team USA U-15 photo.

The USA U-15 team arrived in Japan on May 31, 2023 to participate in the Utsugi Cup held in Takasaki City… click HERE to read more about the trip and click HERE to read about how the Eagles took the title in a 1-0 thriller over the host team…

Day 1

Houston to California. We are headed to LA today to meet up with Team USA before our flight to Japan in the AM.

Stevie (South), Macie (Bryant), Head Coach Kyla (Holas), and I were all on the same flight. It was great to see everyone at the hotel. As people arrived, we hung out, had some fun, and met Coach Mike (Steuerwald).

Tomorrow, we head to Japan!

Day 2

Japan Travel. Today was a long day. We had breakfast then headed to the airport and off to Japan. The flight is 12 hour!

When we landed it was amazing: a different language, culture, food… everywhere I looked I was learning something new. We loaded onto the bus and headed to Takasaki where the Utsugi Cup is being hosted.

Along the way we got to drive through Tokyo and the countryside till we reached our hotel. It was a long trip, time for bed!

Day 3

Practice day. We woke up and headed to the fields for practice.

We got to see a lot more of the area as it was daytime… Japan is so clean. The people are so friendly and respectful. Practice went great. The teams’ bats were on point and our pitching was really good.

After practice, we explored Takasaki.

Day 4

Opening Ceremonies. Today we are moving to our new hotel. We are staying in downtown Takasaki and are moving to another hotel where all the other teams are staying.

It is beautiful on top of a hill overlooking the mountains and golf course! After breakfast, I got ready, then hopped on the bus. We went to the stadium fields first and it was really pretty!

We got to explore it and had bento boxes for lunch there. After we saw the fields, we went to practice. Practice was sweet and short—worked on hitting normal, fast and change, inside and outside, and live off of Coach Kyla. We just did hitting today because of the rain.

Then we went back to the hotel and got dressed for the ceremony. It was interesting. When we got there, we sat down; we had a shirt, a doll, and a few other things waiting for us there.

Then when everybody got to their table some people talked, then we all dug in. While people were eating, we had to go on the stage and introduce ourselves. For some reason I was shaking, but I’ve spoken in front of people before, so it was weird. We socialized with all of the countries.

Then we went to a meeting with my team. Then we went to someone’s room and watch like three movies while eating Nutella & PB&J‘s. By the way, in the middle of that I got treatment and it was awesome.

Well, I’m tired and I have to wake up early.

Members of Team USA hang out with Team Tanzania in Japan.

Day 5

Game Day! Woke up hyped; ready to go! I got ready then we left and went to the stadium. When we got there, we watched a little bit of Japan vs. Mexico. then we went and warmed up.

We played Italy first, we won 3 to 0. We started slow then the bats came alive. The second game was against China, we won 10 to 0. That was a much better game, and the team energy is on fire.

Between games we watched China play Italy, and I saw this really nice couple that brought signs for the team. “I ❤️ __”. They also had Hotshots pictures and players’ teams/high schools’ images also. Awesome fans!

After the games, we all headed back to the hotel, got dinner, treatments and hung out with the other teams. First, we talked to Tanzania. THEY WERE SO CUTE AND FUN!! We talked for a while about how things are different from ours and their country. After we talked, we got a picture and gave hugs then I went back upstairs and watched a little bit of a movie then went to my room.

Now I’m going to go to bed because I have to wake up early.

Day 6

Game Day 2. We woke up, got ready and headed to the Stadium. We got to watch Tanzania play, met with Team Italy (who gave us a great pasta recipe), and got warmed up.

Today we played Japan. They were top in their group. This team is amazing with strong pitching and fielding. It was a battle, but we won 1-0 in ITB. Our team was hyped! Macie did a great job on the rubber. The closing ceremony was fun with pictures, awards, and meeting with players from other teams.

It was a blast! An amazing day of ball at the Utsugi Cup! Team USA wins!

Team USA won the U-15 Utsugi Cup in Takasaki City, Japan on Sunday, June 4, 2023, beating Japan in a 1-0 thriller. Photos & graphics courtesy of USA Softball.

Day 7

The American U-15 team members toured temples in Takasaki, Japan.

Explore time! Chris (Sebren) and the coaches arranged an adventure for the team! We went to this really cool temple in the mountains where it was so pretty and quiet. I got a really cool fortune and I got to feel the water from the waterfall. It was pretty cold and we made a lot of wishes there.

Then, we went to the top of this pretty mountain. We got to take a gondola to the top and look over Takasaki and the lake. We hiked, took pictures; it was a lot of fun. Then when we went back down, we had bento boxes for lunch. While we ate, we got to sit on a bench by the water!

Next, we went to this really cool temple called Daruma where we hand painted these wooden dolls, a symbol of good fortune and luck. It was a lot of fun! Mine wasn’t really good though lol. Also, when we were there, I bought a few mini dolls for the family.

Lastly, we went to this huge mall where we had 50 minutes to look around three and a half floors. All I got was some snacks, but I was sprinting around because I was looking for a shirt that said “Japan” but I never found one.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel. When we got there me, Izzy (Barge), and Brooke (Paratore) went on top of the parking lot and played catch for like 30 minutes, it was a blast!!

Then my parents got there, and we ate dinner. I had two cheeseburgers and a sprite from McDonald’s, I was hungry! Today was so much fun. Learning about the country, sightseeing, and having fun with teammates.

I am sad to leave tomorrow. Japan is an amazing place!

Day 8

Travel mome. We loaded up and headed to the airport. It is sad to say goodbye to the team and coaches. I can’t thank the coaches and staff enough for all they do! Kyla, Mac, Mike, Sam, Chris, and Jordan were amazing! We loaded up for the 10 hour flight home.

Goodbye Japan! Thank you for the great memories!!!

— Taegan Lermann

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