Tokyo Dome baseball

Finally got a chance to mark off something on my "Gosh, I really should do that" list.


Baseball cocktails, anyone?

The structure was the first baseball dome built in Japan. Before seeking wikipedia just now, I hadn't realized it kept it shape via air pressure, but that certainly explains the super-strong whoosh you get when going out the door. (On entry they use forcibly rotating doors, but I guess they can't handle the mass rush of people going home.) To be honest, it looks newer (and bigger) from the outside.

Three interesting differences to American baseball & baseball parks. One is pictured above: beer girls. Actually the girl above is a wine and cocktail girl--the beer girls each have a half-keg strapped to their backs. They appear to be employed by the beer companies; You know to look for hot pink if you want Asahi beer, for example. There were also hot-dog girls and ice cream girls. They walk to the end of the aisle and bow before asking for orders.

Second interesting difference (which may only apply to the Yomuri Giants team) is what you get if you hit a home run (zoom in below on the cheerleader)


Ramirez! Ramir... I mean.. La-Mee-Ray! La-Mee-Ray!

Just what every slugger dreams off--a stuffed animal! (The animal does not get tossed in the crowd, more like on the ground to keep hands free for high-fives.) Ramirez was quite the star of the evening with multiple HR and RBIs; unfortunately I couldn't snap a video of the cute little dance he does in front of the TV camera with the team mascot when he scores a HR (at the end of the team line). ... Or the on-camera MVP interview that most folks in the stands waited for.

The third thing that was different was the "cheer" section. In the outfield were the supporters, all wearing the team jersey. Right-field was home team--and they really really won (after I arrived, their good luck charm). But left-field had a 100% full section, complete with trumpets and drums, and they stayed to the very last out despite the 8 run difference. .. Even more impressive, I'm told that the fans organize these things without any support or organizational aid from the team. No official "supporter section" tickets--they must reserve seats WAY in advance.