 Though following the teams in
newspapers and on the internet may be fun, there is
really no substitute for watching a live Japanese
baseball game. For those living in Japan or planning to
visit, there are plenty of options.
Ballparks: In central Tokyo, the Swallows
play at Meiji Jingu Stadium while the Giants and Fighters share Tokyo
Dome. Thirty
minutes west of the capital city, the Lions play at their
home ballpark, Seibu Dome. The Marines play a half-hour in the other
direction, along the waterfront at Chiba
Marine Stadium.
The BayStars have resided in Yokohama
Stadium for over
two decades.
The
most popular of three Osaka-area teams, the Tigers call
historic Hanshin Koshien Stadium their home. In 1997, the Buffaloes
moved into newly constructed Osaka
Dome. A few miles
east, the BlueWave play in the house Ichiro built (or at
least fills to capacity), Green
Stadium Kobe.
The
three remaining teams reside in Japan's smaller
metropolitan areas. Just across the street from the
infamous A-bomb Dome and memorial, the Carp play at Hiroshima
Stadium, arguably
Japan's finest outdoor ballpark. The Dragons moved into Nagoya
Dome in 1997 while
the Hawks play their home games at Fukuoka
Dome, Japan's only
ballpark with a retractable roof.
Special
Games: In
addition to the annual All-Star
games and Japan
Series, there are
several games you won't want to miss. In February and
March, most teams play a thin schedule of pre-season exhibition
games. Tickets are
cheap, attendance sparse, and it's a great chance to see
your favorite players up close. Giants
games are always
popular, as is Yankees Day, an annual Nippon Ham Fighters
game for which several thousand free tickets are given
away. In even numbered years, Major
League All-Star teams often tour Japan and play against the local
heroes.
Countryside
games:
Each team plays five to ten of the "home" games
in small rural ballparks, giving small-town fans a chance
to see big league players.
Minor
League games: Each pro Japanese team has one minor league
squad. These games tend to be sparsely attended and
tickets are usually very cheap (Swallows farm games are
free). Without any oendan (organized cheering
sections) minor league games are usually quiet, relaxing
events.
1999
Schedule:
Find out when there will be a game near you.
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