(Daegu, South Korea and Hiroshima, Japan) Cheerleaders. A master of ceremonies who sings and dances. A completely conquered crowd, which follows the parade with contagious enthusiasm. Yep, there you are, right where this description takes your imagination: watching a professional baseball game.
But, of course, not any. We transport you to the Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, South Korea. The Samsung Lions, a local team whose owner you can guess, take on KT Wiz from Suwon. It’s the end of July, in the city recognized as the hottest in the country. The fans are being carried in the stands.
After no less than four mascots arrive on the field before the match (Koreans love mascots), the match begins slowly. The supporters of the visiting team, gathered in a remote area of the stadium, cheer as best they can, either to the sound of music. We are already far from the American atmosphere.
But it’s when the Lions come to bat that you realize the extent of the Koreans’ baseball madness. At half-time, a stage set up next to the field fills up. Four cheerleaders and an MC take their places in front of the home fans who are now on their feet. And all these beautiful people are excited.
Baseball game in South Korea
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, South Korea
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
Cheerleaders and an announcer dance and sing along with the fans.
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
The stadium’s energy seems to emanate from a bottomless pit.
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
Cheerleaders are relentless!
It’s just that each cue player has their own music, linked to a choreography. We’re not talking about a simple “go Kim Ji-Chan go!” repeated ad nauseam. It is a chorus in due form, sung by the presenter, well known to the audience and all accompanied by music.
O cheerleaders, absolutely tireless despite the heat and humidity, demonstrate the precise movements. And it never stops, during local half-times. When the batsman hits or goes out, play resumes for his successor. The show continues without interruption, the sound of the speakers on the carpet, the energy of the stadium seeming to emanate from a bottomless pit.
We remind you that this text is about a baseball game, not about a K-pop concert. Precisely, the match, how is it? Because it has to be said that with all these distractions off the pitch, it’s hard to keep up with the action in the diamond. By the way, the culinary temptations are just as numerous – this is Korea, aren’t we?
And yet, things are happening in this game. There’s even fun in the video replay: we play the theme song of the Sherlock Holmes by Benedict Cumberbatch with giant screen animation. After all, we are dealing with a questionable case.
Despite a good late-game effort to attempt a four-point comeback, the Lions lost 8-7. Never mind. The important thing, it seems, was just to release his madman with songs and dance steps of supposed absurdity and seriousness.
At Toyo Carp in Hiroshima
Surely you have heard of a game without running or hitting. But have you ever heard of a match… no point?
We are unfortunate to report that this is indeed a possibility. In Japan, when there is a tie after 9 innings, we continue until 12It is. If the tie persists, a draw is declared. It’s very beautiful. It’s a little less when the tie is… 0-0. In baseball, a 0-0 is a long time, no matter what country you’re in.
But this is Hiroshima, where Toyo Carp is king! At Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium – yes, yes! – there is a sea of red in and around the stands. Red being the color of the club and all the trinkets sold in the official shop, which was quite busy before the match.
From our high seats behind home plate, the view of the mountains that surround the city is magnificent. With the bullet train passing by in the background, we have before us a typical scene of modern Japan.
baseball game in japan
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
No, you’re not mistaken, this mascot – Slyly, his nickname – looks a lot like Phillie Phanatik of the Philadelphia Phillies! They were designed by the same company, Harrison/Erickson, Inc. The same company that created our famous Youppi! to Montreal.
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
At Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium, the view of the mountains surrounding the city of Hiroshima is magnificent.
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
There’s a sea of red in and around the stands!
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PHOTO JEAN-FRANÇOIS TEOTONIO, THE PRESS
In the seventh round, it was time to inflate some red balloons and let them deflate in the air.
Because, like Koreans, Japanese people are crazy about baseball. For both countries, it is the national sport. Japan has won the World Baseball Classic three times, including the 2023 tournament. Also, the mood we witness in Hiroshima perhaps reflects a little more how seriously they take their sport.
There is indeed a complete section, at the extreme right field, aimed at the most passionate supporters, active from start to finish of the game, such as the groups of supporters behind the goals at the Saputo Stadium. Between each pitch, there is a crescendo in the songs. So we tone it down right before launch, politely. After all, we are in Japan.
The most emotional moment of the encounter happened in the seventh round: it was time to inflate the balloons – red ones, of course – and let them deflate in the air. A tradition that is repeated in most Japanese league stadiums. Nice moment to see all these balloons spinning in the stadium for a few seconds!
Otherwise, the lack of constant entertainment leaves more room to enjoy the game, yes, that’s right. Still, there must be something to appreciate. We’re a little envious of the dear old man on our left who managed to get the night started after a few moves.
Throws that took the form of fake balls to keep as souvenirs. The only ones who will remain from this meeting.
