勝者: 早稲田! Winnarrrr

Sure it's a little anticlimactic to give away the ending, but this is really one of those games that was more about the journey than the result; so, of course you will be enticed to read on. The Big 6 championship game was today at 1PM. I met up with my classmates at around 10:30 AM in order to get decent seats for the game. The game was played in Meiji Jingu Stadium, home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. The field is around Aoyama and in the vicinity of a number of stadiums and sports facilities. Jingu Stadium has a very generic layout and a cookie-cutter feel. Also, almost all of the infield has some obstructed view due to this netting that protects you from foul balls. I really disliked the netting; not only does it decrease my chances of foul balls, but it severely impacts your view of home plate.

It was a beautiful day for a ballgame and the stadium was basically all open-air. The field must have been bigger than it looked because I found out later that 36,000 people came to see the final meeting between Waseda and Keio. We didn't really know where to sit, so we bought the infield tickets, which positioned us behind the foul line around right field. The field was split equally between the Waseda and Keio cheering sections, an amazingly even turnout. Each side of the field had a student section in the infield and another cheering section in the outfield. We basically got caught in between, so we got to witness all the crazy cheers, but didn't really participate much. If I ever get the chance, I'd like to go to another game to be in the student section.

We did get a good view of all the cheers though. From when we got there until the first pitch, both sides pretty much just practiced their cheers. In Japan, you have a male cheering squad in addition to cheer leaders. These guys dress up in uniform and lead the cheers all game long. It's a crazy thing to see. You can see one of the guys below standing on the platform.

Actually, a large part of the entire show seems to be manifest with pomp and circumstance. From all the anthems to the flag bearers, there's a very ceremonious feel. I might've actually missed a bunch of it since I left the field for a while.

One of the best things (if not the best thing) about Japanese baseball games is that they do not restrict you from bringing in outside food. The park had concessions, but everyone brought in random snacks and stuff from convenience stores. I stepped out to get some food and actually brought in six cans of beer as well.

Got back just in time to watch the leadoff hitter draw a walk. Waseda played super aggressive that first inning with two consecutive hit and runs. I guess that's what happens when you lose two straight to your century-old rival. It paid off as the team scored three cool runs in the first inning. Nobody scored again until the fifth when Saito helped his cause by driving in the runner at third with an impressive single ripped into left.

Three more insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings gave Waseda a very comfortable margin at 7-0. After each team pitched in the seventh inning, the school songs were sung. The sides are very courteous to each other in general and the opposition is silent as each song is played. I forget what we were talking about, but V and I were snickering to some joke when I realized everyone around us was dead silent as Keio sang. Awkward. Actually, even at the beginning of the game when the teams were warming up, our side clapped as the Keio players ran around the field.

Saito was totally solid through seven innings, and the crowd could feel the magic as he carried a no-hitter into the eighth. The first out was an easy grounder, but an error put the second batter on first. Everyone was thinking that he still had a shot at a no-hitter, but after the next swing he had a runner on third. Again, everyone was still hoping for the shutout and a double play ball, but he gave up a long double and two runs went in.

At this point I was sure they would take him out for the rock solid Ohishi, but I think the manager wanted him to finish the inning. He didn't finish the inning and after five runs, he was finally relieved. I gotta hand it to the Keio fans, they didn't stop singing for a second that entire inning. It has to be tough to pitch when half of the stadium is singing the praises of the runs you just let in. Saito has been on a bit of a losing streak lately and I kind of questioned his mental toughness, but after looking back at the box score, I realized you can't blame a guy who was 130 pitches in. 130! Bad manager!

Ohishi has to be downright frightening for the opposition. The man has nasty stuff and shut down everyone he faced. Not to mention, Waseda scored 2 runs in the 9th to make the final score 10-5. The end of the game was pretty drawn out. Nobody really left the ball park, and after a small celebration, the teams shook hands and then came out to take a bow.

Good job boys. A couple of ridiculously PC interviews by the Waseda manager and pitchers and the game was over. We filed out as most of the crowd stayed behind with their fists in the air to the school anthem. There was supposedly a parade afterward too, but we were meeting with the girls for dinner and were totally wiped out.

A couple interesting things about college baseball games: Because of all the cheering, it's impossible to heckle. I think that people are just too nice and respectful to do it anyway, but I was told it happens at the pro level. Also, the bats were made of wood. Supposedly, there's this movement to support bats made of sustainable resources, but it's admirable considering how much aluminum bats help college players in the US. I'm very curious to see if a pro baseball experience is different from the college one, but the championship series of the NPB is going on right now. Getting tickets could be difficult and expensive. Can't complain; it was pretty amazing to see. I hope one of those guys makes to the MLB, so I can root for him for real.