Nestled in the charming Shimbashi-Ginza District, Meiji-Jingu Stadium beckons the faithful flocks of Yakult Swallows fans as well as broader baseball enthusiasts from around the planet.
It's intimate proportions (only 37,933 seating capacity and 394 ft to straight-away center) make for a congenial evening of beer, brots and ballyhoo. The latter can be found in the abundant traditions of die-hard Swallows Fans that include:
It's intimate proportions (only 37,933 seating capacity and 394 ft to straight-away center) make for a congenial evening of beer, brots and ballyhoo. The latter can be found in the abundant traditions of die-hard Swallows Fans that include:
- Deploying "kawaii"/cute umbrellas at the on-set of any run scored by the Swallows
- Legions of white and blue clad fans in right field who perpetually cheer and sing Hava Nagila whilst the Swallows are on defense
- Scores of blue and green sheethed fans in left field who play polka songs and lilting Japanese traditional hymns while the Swallows are at the plate
In 1934 Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx led a caudre of American all-stars on a 22 game tour of Japan. During their game at Meiji-Jingu Matsutao Shoriki (popularly acknowledged as the Father of Japanese Baseball) received a 16-inch gash from a broadsword at the hands of radicals who were none-too-pleased that gaijin were being allowed to step foot on the hallowed grounds of the "Jingu".
. . . apparently The Babe was not up to snuff, and thankfully Shoriki-san survived the attack.
