Japanese Baseball - Chiba Lotte Marines

During the first week of May, my roommates and I went with some Japanese friends to see a baseball game. It was a blast! Below are some pictures and differences between baseball games in America and Japan.


The Stadium: Notice how there is more grass in the infield than dirt. So different from an American baseball field!


107: Interesting that their numbers go past double digits!


Chiba Lotte Marines: Me, Amy, Ayako and Misaki. Pretty much all of the Japanese attenders have and wear their own jerseys.


Cheerleader: Japanese baseball games are so different than American baseball games. All of the fans know the same cheers and there is a "cheerleader" as seen in this picture who lets the fans know which cheer is next. Japanese fans stand the entire time their team is up to bat, rather than just standing when something really good happens. And they have a cheer for every player that comes up to bat. It's extremely entertaining and lots of fun! To watch and hear a sample of one such cheer click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv4xhUYTHeo


Dancers: I've never heard of a baseball team having dancers before, but apparently in Japan they have them.


Pitcher Parade: When a team changes pitchers at a Japanese baseball game it is a pretty big deal. The new pitcher doesn't just run out on the field. No sir, he is paraded out onto the field in a convertible! Can you believe it?!



Mascots: Here are the team mascots for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Cute, eh?

A Look at Tokyo From Above

Below are more pictures taken from another visit to the Government Towers in Shinjuku. A brief description of each picture is included.


The red and white building in the center that looks like a needle point is the famous Tokyo Tower. Not the tallest building in Tokyo, but a famous landmark nonetheless. Rumor is you can take an elevator to the top for approximately $15. Personally I prefer the free observation deck at the Government Towers in Shinjuku which as I mentioned is FREE!


The trees in this picture are found at Yoyogi Park which is about a 20 minute walk from my apartment. This is the largest patch of green you'll see when looking out over Tokyo. Japanese people come to this park to do ANYTHING - tap dancing, juggling, mime, bagpipes, guitars, drums, African dancing, soccer, frisbee, kite flying, blowing bubbles, picnics - you name it and I've seen it. The blue tents belong to the homeless.


The white egg-shaped building in the center is the Tokyo Dome which is an air-supported dome. The air pressure must be maintained at a level .3% higher than that outside to hold the roof in place. In order to minimize the loss of air from inside the dome, revolving doors are used for all exits and entrances. In this same area is the restaurant Bubba Gumps as well as an amazing roller coaster called Thunder Dolphin.


45 stories is a long way down.


Tokyo Bay


Another look at the overly crowded land in Tokyo.


This is my favorite picture I've taken from the government towers. I have yet to go to the towers on a completely clear and sunny day, but this particular day had more sun and cloudless patches than my previous two trips. Honestly, I'm thankful that it wasn't a cloudless day because this picture greatly portrays the battle of light and darkness in Japan. Most of the city in this picture is covered by clouds resulting in darkness which parallels the overwhelming majority of Japanese people who live in spiritual darkness. And while the darkness exists and covers more space, one cannot deny the patches of light breaking through the darkness caused by the sun. Similarly, one cannot deny the patches of light caused by the Son of God that are the believers called by God to bring light to the darkness that is Japan. As you look at this picture, please pray that the light will increase and the darkness decrease. Lift up the believers in Japan asking that our light may shine brightly.