This is part 4 of my adventures in Japan.<\/p>\n
After an eventful morning and a trip to Tokyo Sky Tree, it was finally time for my first Japanese baseball game. We headed to the oldest baseball stadium in Tokyo, Meiji Jingu Stadium<\/a>, to watch the Tokyo Yakult Swallows<\/a> take on the Yomiuri Giants<\/a>.<\/p>\n I think there may have been as many Giants fans as there were Sallows fans, but it was still a fun place to watch a game. We were there early, so we saw a little bit of batting practice and the teams warming up. An actress I hadn’t heard of, Gouriki Ayame, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. You can see pictures and video of the pitch HERE<\/a>.\u00a0Unlike US baseball games, Japanese baseball teams usually have cheerleaders, and the Swallows were no exception. Even the mascot was dancing along. Another one of the great traditions at Jingu Stadium is the fans and their umbrellas. When the Swallows score a run and during the 7th inning, the fans open their colorful umbrellas and wave them while singing.<\/p>\n Time for the game to finally start. The Giants jumped out 3-0 in the first and never looked back. The final score was 8-2. See a full report on the game HERE<\/a>. We had some fun in the stands taking part in the organized cheers. It was also a good chance for the JapanBall group to kind of hang out and talk. It was a good first taste of Japanese baseball in a classic stadium. Tomorrow, we get up early and head out of Tokyo for a couple of days.<\/p>\n Videos: Part of the Swallows starting line-up announcement<\/a>, Swallows cheerleaders and mascot dance<\/a>, Cheering in our section<\/a>, Drunk guy in our section<\/a>, The 7th inning stretch<\/a>\u00a0(a must see)<\/p>\n