If you've ever seen Mr Baseball, an older movie featuring Tom Selleck as a washed up Major Leaguer who tries to revive his career in Japan, you'll probably appreciate this next story.
I got tickets to the Hiroshima Carp vs Yakult Swallows game a few months ago via Japan Ball tickets. The tickets were waiting for us upon checking into our hotel as promised. We were really looking forward to this game and we could see around the city that there was a lot of local support for the Carp.
The game was fantastic - wacky, fun-filled, great fan interactions and a Hollywood ending to boot! I've posted three videos below on different moments of the game, but really, I could have posted 3 hours of video. MLB in North America is struggling with an aging fan base and apathetic interest at best. They could really learn from the Japanese. They've created a really family friendly atmosphere - organized cheers throughout, giveaways, mascots, bring your own food if you want (one guy had a Costco pizza in line!), cheap and diverse food options to buy, kids zones with playgrounds.... It was fantastic.
The quality of the baseball is also top notch and the game tonight was amazing. First, here's one of the spontaneous cheers that broke out for the audience to use with the prize giveaway of the night... Red Carp umbrellas for everyone....
Next came the 7th inning blow up balloon' wave it in the air and let them fly in some weird, hilarious, atmospheric insemination ritual....
Last video... Bottom of the 10th, ballgame tied 1-1, and we get.... A WALKOFF, GAME WINNING HOME RUN!!!! Watch...
I got tickets to the Hiroshima Carp vs Yakult Swallows game a few months ago via Japan Ball tickets. The tickets were waiting for us upon checking into our hotel as promised. We were really looking forward to this game and we could see around the city that there was a lot of local support for the Carp.
The game was fantastic - wacky, fun-filled, great fan interactions and a Hollywood ending to boot! I've posted three videos below on different moments of the game, but really, I could have posted 3 hours of video. MLB in North America is struggling with an aging fan base and apathetic interest at best. They could really learn from the Japanese. They've created a really family friendly atmosphere - organized cheers throughout, giveaways, mascots, bring your own food if you want (one guy had a Costco pizza in line!), cheap and diverse food options to buy, kids zones with playgrounds.... It was fantastic.
The quality of the baseball is also top notch and the game tonight was amazing. First, here's one of the spontaneous cheers that broke out for the audience to use with the prize giveaway of the night... Red Carp umbrellas for everyone....
Next came the 7th inning blow up balloon' wave it in the air and let them fly in some weird, hilarious, atmospheric insemination ritual....
Last video... Bottom of the 10th, ballgame tied 1-1, and we get.... A WALKOFF, GAME WINNING HOME RUN!!!! Watch...
Awesome vlogs...loved them!
ReplyDeleteWOW...looks slighty more lively than Skydome on a Monday in April. Loving the Blog, by the way....cant say enough good things about it!
ReplyDeleteWOW...looks slighty more lively than Skydome on a Monday in April. Loving the Blog, by the way....cant say enough good things about it!
ReplyDelete