The Japanese love baseball. They are crazy about baseball. In Canada you go from town to town and see a hockey rink, in Japan it is a ball diamond.

We did our first ballgame a few months ago and it was a lot of fun due to the crowds. Did I mention that the Japanese love their baseball? We went to see the Swallows at Jingu stadium. Config: Canon G12 … in the rain.

It was raining … better cover that bullhorn!

As you would expect, the food is much more ‘Japanese’. Including some form of octopus looking dish that they deep fry.

And of course, beer.

A Japanese ball game reminded me of an NBA game. Whenever there was a pause in the play, up popped some form of entertainment. Cheerleaders ….

Fireworks!

And of course, there was the safety angle. They had this sign behind every seat and every few innings a young man carrying the same sign would walk down the aisles warning us .. watch for balls! (smile)

A lot of activity. The Swallows were playing the Giants and they lost badly. I would think that it was due to the enthusiasm of the Giant’s fans. They occupied an area behind left field and were insane … cheering, chanting, singing and yelling.

One last shot. It seemed like every batter raised his leg to hit the ball. It isn’t how I learned to hit a baseball …. no torque.

Great night out.