Attended a Japanese preseason baseball game between the Giants and the Fighters. Fighters over the Giants 3 to 3 in 2 hours and 53 minutes. A very well played game. I sat in reserved seating for the first six innings then wandered about for the last three. Ended up by the bleacher bums—definitely the best place to sit to get the true ambiance of a Japanese ball game. Another advantage to the bleachers is the lack of armrests on the seats. The regular seats are at least an inch narrower than a US seat. Some notes:
3 and 2, 2nd and 3rd– no running on pitch
“Dust” on field shows ball impact. Really weird. Every time the ball hits the ground this splash of dust pops up.
Stadium security blows whistles on foul ball. Then goes and checks if person is ok
All concession sellers working stands are young girls
Active pitcher plays catch by dugout to keep arm warm
They Sell hard liquor in the stands
No 7th inning stretch
No national anthem until end(?) of game.
They’ll yell banzai! When scoring a run. No shit—BANZAI !!!!
Some photos. People in line for souvenir store, the Hall of Fame, cheerleaders on the field, very good hot dogs on a good bun, mustard ok, nowhere near as good as Cleveland Indians mustard!
