My faithful readers know all about the strange affinity Japan has with baseball, and for those that don’t know about it, let’s just say Japan is crazy about baseball. Since baseball is so popular and such an integral part of the Japanese culture, I thought it was necessary for me to experience it first hand. Yesterday I got my chance as I traveled to Hiroshima to watch the Chuunichi Dragons take on the hometown Hiroshima Carp. Both teams are members of the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball.
I purchased a baseball cap from one of the many vendors and then walked over to the entrance. After waiting in line for about 30-minutes, I finally made it inside the park. I had a reserved ticket for left field which allowed me to sit anywhere within the reserved section. I chose a spot about 10-feet inside of the fair pole a few rows up from the wall. I scanned the crowd, but I was the only gaijin in sight. I’ve been in this same situation almost the entire time I’ve been here, so I’m getting used to it.
A few minutes before the game the crowd kicked into full gear with non-stop chanting and clapping. Each team had a pseudo-organized band that played along with the chants. The crowd and bands didn’t relent until the game was over; even between innings they cheered away.
This high-energy atmosphere is completely different from the super-laidback feel of an American Major League game. Despite this difference, I soon found myself chanting and clapping in unison with the rest of the Japanese fans.
Another difference was the 7th inning stretch. There was no “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Instead, there was a Japanese baseball song. Feeling the need to put some of the “American flavor” back into the game, I taught this cute little boy, who was sitting next to me, some important English baseball phrases and gestures. In no time he was shouting “He’s out!” and “Bad call ump!” while doing the appropriate motions. His father thought it was funny, and I was glad that I had a positive impact on the little boy.
Anyway, back to the most important thing, the game: the Dragons jumped out to an early 4–0 lead in the second inning. In the bottom of the fourth the Carp had cut the lead to just one run. The score stood at 4–3 until the bottom of the eight when gaijin, Andy Sheets of the Carp put them ahead by two runs with his game breaking triple. The Carp added another run before closing out the inning. The Dragons were unable to muster up a comeback and the game ended 6–4 after the top of the ninth. With the home team being victorious, the crowd went wild and the overjoyed fans spilled out into the busy Hiroshima streets still chanting. I walked back to the train station very satisfied with my Japanese baseball experience.
Doko no Fan – Who do you root for?