My father in law got tickets to watch the Major League Baseball season opener featuring the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics here in Japan at the Tokyo Dome. Seattle of course features Ichiro who is a huge celebrity and sports icon here in Japan. While he may be reaching the end of an illustrious career (he will be 39 later this year), there is no denying his star power and presence here in Japan. Both games were sold out and we had tickets to the second game on Thursday night.
I’ve always been keen on sitting behind home plate or behind the dugouts when I go to games however this time the most in demand tickets were in right field, in a special area they deemed AREA 51 in honor of Ichiro, who is of course number 51 and plays in right field. The tickets were just awesome as we were in the second row in Area 51 pretty much with Ichiro right in front of us whenever he took to the field. Watching an outfielders back for an entire 9 innings for some may not be the most exciting thing however the crowd cheered and screamed every time Ichiro came to right field, and while he went hitless in this game (he was 4 for 5 in their win yesterday!) and the Mariners lost, the crowd didn’t care and kept screaming his name and waving signs and banners. While warming up between innings, Ichiro always turned and acknowledged the fans in Area 51 with a nod or a wave and you could clearly see how happy it made everyone. Area 51 fans also got special Mariners jerseys with Area 51 emblems to commemorate the night.
The fans are always a big part of the game and besides showing support for Ichiro there was a lot of bonding and promoting of friendship between the US and Japan going on in the stands.
Area 51 fans around us cheered and waved their banners all night long. I’ve always loved Japanese baseball games for their friendly atmosphere and of course the beer girls. The Japanese love their beer and draft beer or nama beer as we call it is always readily available and served by young idol like girls who carry tubs of beer on their backs and go up and down the aisles usually serving lots of happy drunk guys ready to fork over 800 yen a beer!
While I don’t drink and 800 yen is outrageous, I have to admit the girls are a big part of the culture of Japanese baseball games, whether it be selling nama beer, coca-cola, box juice or Suntory High Ball, their presence and always heard voices make the game fun as well. If you get the chance to come to Japan and watch a Japanese baseball game definitely try. Here are a few representing the different beer brands from the night.
hey T i was at the game as well. all the tv monitors showing the ‘ichi-meter” ichiros hits per year.
sold out indeed everyone was there for ichi , pitty bartolo colon smoked the mariners that night.
btw the ebisu girls alway win.
and sapporo have guys carrying thier glass bottled beers !