  Opened in 1988, Tokyo Dome became
Japan's first indoor stadium. Nicknamed the
"Big Egg" because of its inflated white
roof, the facility is currently the home of the
Giants and Fighters.As you enter the Tokyo
Dome through one of the revolving doors, you may
either walk toward your seat or visit one of the
countless concession  stands along the inside of
the Dome's perimeter. Japanese and American
snacks are available, as well as various brews
and spirits. Other stands sell merchandise, but
unless you're a Giants fan, you'll likely find
the selection disappointing.
Most of the seats are well-positioned
and comfortable, but as with most stadiums,
you're better off sitting about thirty rows
behind the playing field, thus allowing you to
watch the game unobstructed by the protective
chain-link fence which girdles the field.
Fortunately for the bleacher bums, the wire fence
above the outfield wall is quite low.
The first Japanese ballpark with
"Major League" dimensions, the Tokyo
Dome's 4 meter (13 foot) high outfield fence
measures 100 meters (328 ft.) from home plate
along the foul lines, 110m (361 ft.) in the power
alleys, and 122m (400 ft.) to straight-away
center.
Aside from a guarantee of climate
control and rain-free games, there isn't much
else to say in favor of the Tokyo Dome.
The white canopy makes it difficult
to track fly balls, the sound system is widely
criticized, and advertisements ring the dome like
a gray stain inside a toilet bowl. Typical of a
multi-purpose facility, most baseball games are
played on a field that's still marked with white
chalk lines from last week's soccer or football
game.
Various injuries have been attributed
to the Dome's inadequately cushioned artificial
turf. Masumi Kuwata, one of the Giants' ace
pitchers, spent nearly two seasons on the
disabled list after landing on his elbow while
attempting to catch a ball.
The green plastic toupee covering the
floor, along with the snow-cone shaped outfield
offers very little to get excited about.
Widely characterized as a Metrodome
clone, the tenants of this plastic bubble should
take notice that the Minnesota Twins are trying
to scrap their dome in favor of a classy
baseball-only ballpark with removable canopy.
Hopefully, the Giants and Fighters will someday
follow the trend.
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