Let's Go to the Ball Game

Benji Newman

Baseball is not dead. According to ESPN, more than 3 million spectators crossed the entrance gates during the first two weeks of the 2015 season, which is a record showing that the game is still very much so alive. Ask any fan, what got them into the game originally, more likely than not, was going to a game with friends or family. Ballparks at all levels of the sport offer an immense amount of fun.  Drink and eat all while a great sport is on display.

While baseball is known as America’s pastime, it is played and enjoyed by the masses in many different countries. Similar to how cricket and soccer were spread to the British colonies by the imperial forces, baseball was spread by the U.S. Army. It is no coincidence that countries that had a history with U.S. military occupation also give birth to some of the great players of the game. Cuba and the Dominican Republic are some of the most prolific creators of international players in the MLB, but Japan and South Korea have also produced many professional talents. Both of these East Asian nations have strong domestic leagues as well which are worth a visit.

In Japan, you have a choice of 12 clubs that you could visit. If you want to be in the best arena and watching the most enthralling game, then you should go to the Tokyo Dome and watch as the home team, the Yomiuri Giants, take on the Hanshin Tigers visiting from the Kansai region. The Yomiuri Giants are the oldest team in the league and are known as the “Yankees of Japan.” Meanwhile, the rival team is known for its intense fan base, whose seventh inning stretch tradition is anything but traditional. The rivalry has been compared with the one between the Yankees vs. Red Sox or Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona. The Tokyo Dome is one of the great venues to watch a sporting event in the world, so seeing these teams play there will definitely be worth your while.

If you find yourself Seoul and in the mood to see some baseball, head to the Jamsil Baseball Stadium and check out the Doosan Bears play one of the other nine teams in the KBO League. Drink some beer and enjoy some authentic Korean food while taking in the game in a more relaxed environment. While the fans are still enthusiastic, they are much more subdued than those in Japan. Try to go on a Sunday afternoon when the team usually offers some form of discount or has sponsored giveaways. These games are different and worth checking out especially if you want to do something that many people do not.

No matter where you are this summer, go to a baseball game. Support your local minor league team or watch as your MLB team fights its way to the World Series. If you really want to do something fun, go to Cincinnati on July 14 for the MLB All Star Game. There is truly nothing like a summer night at the ballpark.

Born and raised in the melting pot that is New York City, Benji Newman has always enjoyed being immersed in different cultures. He has studied, worked, and traveled all over Europe and hopes to visit South America in the near future. Graduating from the University of Michigan this spring, he will continue his studies in the fall by attending a Master's of International Economics and Affairs program.

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