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I went to see the mighty Hanshin Tigers baseball team on Friday. They’d won all of their last 10 games and were top of their league.

Naturally I was there and they lost.

We were in the best seats I have ever been in. Right in the home run zone in the noisy section close up with the season ticket holders and most devoted fans.

It was noisy, it was sweaty and it was incredibly fun.

The goal of the people in that area is not to watch the game it seeems but to chant each player’s song. This usually goes like, “Hit it hard [plus player's name!] The fans whack miniature bats together as they shout. This creates an amazing atmosphere.

They don’t seem to be that interested in the game itself but shouting it and following along with the designated cheer leaders (above)who help synchronize the cries of thousands of people at far ends of the stadium into one. At that distance, you can`t really follow along with what`s happening anyway.

I love going to Koshien Stadiumand even though they lost, it was such a good time.