Sendai Baseball

 Lots of construction on the roads 6 months after the 9.0 earthquake.  Sendai was were it was centered.

 Kleenex Stadium Miyagi.  They gave us some Kleenex packages on the way in.

 Berto's jersey was #18 Tanaka, the pitcher.  Nickname "Maa-kun"

 First time since opening the stadium that it was sold out!

 Girls carry kegs of beer on their backs!!

 The seats are not individual.  So you are very close to the person next to you.

 Young cheerleaders

 Liveliest and funnest game ever!  They chant and clack 2 bats connected by a string.

 Eco Trash System.  They separate everything.  Right down to chopsticks! The stadium was so clean.

Two times throughout game, they blow up balloons and let them go.  The white ones are at the end after the WIN.


September 10, 2011.  Rakuten Eagles vs. Nippon-Ham Fighters  10-5

What a great game!  The Japanese really get into their baseball.  The crowd was a sea of jerseys, hats and baseball bats.  There is constant chants for the players.  And the beer is definitely flowing with the fans!  There are girls walking up and down the stairs with kegs of beer on their backs.  Berto was happy to knock back a couple of cold ones.

It was really hot this day.  After we first got there and found our seats we were sitting directly in the sun.  So, we walked around the stadium and looked at souvenirs.  Also, I made Berto pose with the cutouts of the players.  He would get so embarrassed, especially if anyone was watching!  :)  I found one of those cool packs.  You hit it a few times and stays cold for awhile.  That went directly on my neck.  We were lucky that once we were watching the game, the sun hid behind the clouds.  What a relief, it made a big difference.

There was a award ceremony for the 400th home run for Yamasaki Takeshi.  The 17th player in Japanese Baseball history.  I think that's why the game was sold out, it was a big deal.   There were 4 Hispanic players, Romulo Sanchez, Juan Morillo, Randy Ruiz and Kelvin Jimenez.

Definitely a great experience!!