Baseball in Japan!!

A day at the Ball Park

Last night we went to the Yakult Swallows vs Hanshin Tigers baseball game at the Meiji Jingu stadium. It was our first baseball game here in Japan (Scott has gone with friends during the summers, but it was a first for the girls and I!), and we had a fantastic time! The crowds here are so charged up and excited, which made for a fantastic atmosphere in the Stadium. I compare it to a football crowd at an NFL or Major College football game- just excited and in love with their team of choice. I found it interesting that they split the stadium into a Swallows fan side and a Tigers fan side. I also was so impressed with all the cheering that went on- actual cheers, chants, singing...it was so much fun to watch. One thing I found very different is that the cheering is constant- they do not stop for the batter- they cheer right through it- there is rarely if ever silence while the game is being played. I also loved the beer keg sellers- they carried a mini-keg on their backs, and had cups, and would pour you a beer right at your seat! The girls purchased their Swallow umbrellas - every time the Swallows scored, music would come on, and the whole crowd would open up colored umbrellas and move them to the music. The girls loved this part, and needed, needed, needed to get their own umbrellas! The Swallows won 6-2, there were a lot of hits and several home runs- what a fun experience!

Meiji Jingu Stadium under the lights

Hanna and I

Scott and the Girls

Maya really got into it!

We ended up going to the game with our friends the Vaughn's, who have girls that are the same ages as Maya and Hanna. The crowd was LOVING the girls, and at times, there was more attention paid to them by the fans around us, then there was to the actual game. The four girls found empty seats a few rows up from us (which was nice, because it was hot, with 100% humidity and seats sized for the smaller Japanese), and they had a blast being a bit independent. We in turn had more space (though it didn't stop the sweating!), and were much more comfortable. The four adults also ended up on the Jumbo Tron which made the kids super jealous!