Bear does Osaka 2014: Post #37 (16.05.14) >> Japanese baseball

I don't care much about sport (to put it nicely), especially Baseball but it has always been said; If you can get to Japanese baseball game, do so !.

The fanatical cheering and antics of the Hanshin Tigers supporters make this a must experience event whilst in Osaka.

To get to the baseball game we caught a train from Shinsaibashi to Umeda where we changed to the Hanshin line to get to Koshien train station.

From the station, it was a short walk to the stadium following the mass of Tigers supporters.

Along this walk were many stalls and shops selling Tigers merchandise and fan fare.

We were given these upon entry

We arrived a little late, the game was already in its 2nd innings.

What caught my interest were the bright pink girls amongst all of the yellow and black tigers fans.

These were the beer girls ! Asahi super Dry girls.
Dressed in bright pink jersey, shorts and baseball cap ... equipped with a mini keg strapped to their back + utility belt full of cups and other stuff.

There were also girls in cream uniform selling Asahi Premium Dry.

These poor girls were walking up and down the stands all game long.
In true Japanese spirit, these girls loved their job.
They would appear with a smile, raise their arms in the air and ask in their high pitched voices, something along the lines of "Beer ! Beer ! Beer anyone ?".

Each beer was 650Yen/A$7.00

In terms of food, there were the usual Japanese snacks, i.e Takoyaki balls, curry rice, Udon, Yakatori etc.
I had planned to see the kiosks and foodstands for myself but i ended up being captivated in my seat.

A small group of the opposing team's fans sat opposite.

Being the jerks that we are, we only chose to buy beer from the cuter girls ! Hee Hee o_-

What is Trevor salivating over ???

Shortly after this beer, Trevor had to return to Dotonburi for a date !

There were fans of all ages, from babies to grandparents and every sort of person in between.

The team's motto is Hustle ! Hustle ! Hustle !

Happiest fan in the stadium !

Each player had their own song and cheer to be enthuiastically sung and chanted by the crowd.
The popularity of the player determined how epic their song & cheer was.

#1 Toritani was popular !!!

"Come on Gomeze, Let's go ! Come on Gomeze, Let's go"

As the 6th inning drew towards an end, the Tigers fans began blowing up long balloons of various colours.

Then before the start of 7th innings, on cue from their cheerleaders, they all chanted a song... their fight song !.

These little kids carrying their own balloons came onto the field.

As soon as the song was over, all of the fans released the balloons into the air, creating a spectacle of colour and excitement all over the stadium sky.

Such a hectic spectacle was over in a matter of a minute.
If one was to go to the toilet or get something to eat, it would be missed !

COOL no top smart car !

The fans were led by cheer leaders and gee'd up by the flag bearers.

Cute ears

Time for another beer.

Some tea this time.

The atmosphere escalated whenever a Tigers batsman stepped up to the plate.
Small plastic bats, everything yellow black and white started to move around.

The crowd started to go crazy, chanting songs & cheering.
The demeanor of these quiet, timid and shy people changed erratically like they were bi-polar.

At this stage of the game, in the 8th innings, the Yokohama Baystars fans were anxiously hoping their team would carry their lead and win the game.

Anyone see the similarity between Willy's eyes and the player above ?

Hanshin Tigers cheering fan

9th Innings, Hanshin Tigers at the batting plate, Trailing 3-1, two players already on 1st & 2nd base ... there was a chance of a win.

Below was the crucial pitch/bat ...

OUT ! OUT ! OUT !

At the end of the 9th innings, some 3 hours later, the score remained 3-1.
Another loss for the Hanshin Tigers.

Japanese baseball was a suprisingly exciting experience that is as good as everyone says it is !