In Korea, high school baseball is played at a very high level by students who train year round. Unlike in Japan or the U.S. where nearly every high school fields a team, there are only about 60-70[1] Korean high school baseball teams which makes the competition tantamount to an all-star league of Korea's young talent. KBO, MLB and NPB scouts are frequently in attendance at all of the five national high school baseball tournaments.
The five Big 5 tournaments are the most important high school baseball events of the year in terms of tradition, prize-money awarded, and public attention.
| Five Major National Competitions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Host City |
| Start Year |
| Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Seoul | 36 | |
| Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Seoul | 36 | |
| President's Cup National High School Baseball Tournament | Other cities | 41 | |
| Grand Phoenix Flag National High School Baseball Tournament | Other cities | 63 | |
| KBA President's Flag National High School Baseball Tournament | Other cities | 63 | |
There used to be four lower-level high school baseball events of the year sponsored by local cities. However, these local tournaments have been replaced with the High School Weekend League after the 2010 season.
| National Competitions in Local City | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Host City |
| Start Year |
| Hwarang Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Busan | 24 | |
| Daebung Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Daegu | 22 | |
| Mudeung Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Gwangju | 22 | |
| Michuhol Flag National High School Baseball Championship | Incheon | 22 | |
