Hanshin Tigers

Whenever friends come to visit in me in Japan, I love the opportunity to get out and about with them to show off this wonderful country. The culture, food, fashion, friendliness, size, shopping………I could go on! It has not failed to impress yet, with some friends now making annual visits. It is always great to see a familiar face from your native country, and there was one visit recently that I would like to share.

Recently a good mate from Australia came to visit. He loves sports!!! We would often go to sporting events together back home. Rugby Union, Rugby League and Cricket matches were amongst our favorites. As there is no cricket played in Japan, we decided to head out and take in the next best thing, a game of baseball.

A typical day at the cricket at home means a very long day in the sun with your friends, usually debating the finer points of the game over a few cold beers. This was not what we experienced at the Tigers game. Although there was a beer or two consumed, there was no time for idle chit chat as we were too busy trying to pick up the lyrics to the non-stop war cries. I have not seen the passion displayed by the supporters equalled at any other sporting event. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. It was a great night to say the least.

Back at my school in Sakai Higashi, I put some pictures up of the game on the wall of the class room. They have generated a lot of conversation in my lessons. It’s has been great to find out that some of my quite and well mannered students are raving mad Hanshin Tigers supporters. My students have shown great interest in being able to spend some time together out of the classroom practicing their English and sharing some interests we have in common. I am working now towards organising a trip to Koshien Stadium with my students and their families to help cheer on the Tigers to this years premiership!

GO THE TIGERS!!!!!!