We went to Tokyo to watch baseball games last weekend. In fact, we were originally planing to go Nagano for skiing but we had to change our schedules, because I had a business meeting and my wife had work last Saturday.
MLB opening series, Oakland Athletics plays against the Seattle Mariners 20th and 21st of March in Tokyo. The Japanese outfielder Ichiro, new comer pitcher Kikuchi will play in these games. Plus Oakland and Seattle were planing to play the pre season games against NPB teams on the 17th and 18th of March. Last Friday 15th, we looked for tickets for the Oakland Athletics against the Nipponn-Ham Fighters and the Seattle Mariners against the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday 17th in Tokyo. Fortunately we got tickets for both games and we headed to Tokyo after work last Saturday by bullet train.
Next morning we headed to Tokyo dome stadium and got there 20 minutes before the gate opened. I was really surprised because it was really crowded around stadium and there was already a long lines. It was more than two hours before the game started between Seattle and Yomiuri, I felt everyone was interested in MLB games and Ichiro. When we got inside the stadium, players of Seattle Mariners practiced on the field and we watched their batting practice about one hour. I like watching batting and fielding practice and it was amazing, because a major leaguer has great power and some players have a good strong arm. We couldn't get bored of their performance.
The Seattle Mariners against the Yomiuri Giants game started at 12:05 PM and Ichiro played right fielder, 9th batter but he didn't get a hit. I think his condition is still not perfect, because he didn't play last season in the big league. Come on Ichiro! This game was finished around 3 PM, so we left the stadium and came back again around 5PM to watch the next game, the Oakland Athletics against the Nippon Ham Fighters. We enjoyed that game too, plus I got a foul ball in the game. It was a great experience.
MLB opening game is tomorrow evening and I can't wait for it. We'll stay home tomorrow and watch the game on TV. I believe that Ichiro will be successful in both games.
