One day I am walking along minding my own business and just you know doing my thing or whatever, when I pass a familiar sign for the Giants. I’m thinking to myself “did I just see that right?” and “what the hell are the Giants doing in Japan?” and “I thought their season was over” “maybe they love Japan” “maybe they love Japan so much that they play here just for fun”. Goes to show how much I know about baseball, or at least how much I know about baseball in Japan. So I text my dad (he is a Giant’s fan, but first we are a family raised off of going to A’s games so that is where my heart remains) and I ask “What the hell are the Giants doing in Japan?!” He responds with “LOL!” and nothing else. Great, dad. Once I return home he hands me tickets to the Yomiuri Giants game for the following Wednesday.
So here’s the deal about baseball in Japan from the limited perspective of an American girl: The fan base is infuckingsane. The cheerleaders, the songs, the organization of movements and the choreography of exposing the larger-than-life posters of the players left me with my mouth agape in wonder. Giants fans at the game wore a bright orange towel around their neck, to be spun around during various chants and songs. My dad thought it’d be pretty funny if he went in his SF gear. (It actually wasn’t really that funny, mostly it was funny by concept, and I’m pretty sure we were the only ones there that thought it was even remotely funny.) There aren’t many differences in the actual game (other than a game ends whether it is a tied game or not), but the experience felt more akin to attending a high school basketball game when your best friend or your boyfriend or maybe your family member is playing, cheerleaders and mascots in their costumes and all. I’m used to a more drunken crowd that cheers or yells according to the plays on the field; this crowd seemed happy chanting and singing whether their team was ahead or behind. The only other difference I noted was that instead of creepy old men (okay fine they are not always creepy old men) selling cracker jacks or cotton candy etc., the vendors were sexy Japanese girls in short shorts selling beer. Only beer.
Overall I’d say it was a pretty dull game. Sure I’m biased but, for me, nothing will beat a game at the Coliseum. And with that I leave you with my weekend plans which include going to see Moneyball.
