5 Things To Know: 2013 International Kenko Baseball Tourney

Once again, bats and balls will bring people from around the world and here in the United States to Ballwin, as the Ballwin Athletic Association's fields host the 2013 International Kenko baseball tournament. 

The event, which runs from August 3-11, features 92 players from Australia, Europe and Japan, along with 175 players from the St. Louis area, all split up into two age brackets, 12 & Up and 15 and Up.

Here are 5 things we thought you should know about the event.

1. They don't use baseballs. According to Kenkobaseball.com, Kenko balls have an air-cushioned center and compresses on impact

2. Attendance at all games and ceremonies is free. Here's the schedule of events.

3. The address for the Ballwin Athletic Association complex is: 1 Ballpark Dr, Ballwin, MO 63021

4. New this year, attendees will all attend a St. Louis Cardinals game, get a tour of Busch Stadium, and visit the Arch. They will also take a day off to go on an Ozarks Float Trip.

5. Which brings us to maybe the most important aspect of the experience, according to organizers: Foreign Exchange. Players stay with host families here in the area and get a chance to make friends and build relationships through the games and the other activities. The players will leave having played games and learned a little something about America along the way.