Lions vs Eagles

I went to Lions against Eagles at Tokorozawa yesterday. It was really good game with two good starting pitchers of Takayuki Kishi (Lions) and Masahiro "Maa-kun" Tanaka (Eagles). I saw Kishi's warming up in the bullpen before the game. I realized he was really different that day from his usual warming ups in the bullpen. He was really energized that day. He pitched really good in the game too. He looks like he has determined to win the ballgame. I've never seen him like that before. He threw really good fastball from the hill. His fast ball recorded 90 mph entire game. It was really unusual for him. His usual fastball is 86 mph. He threw seven strong innigs and got a win.

Eiji Shoutu made really good relief job in the 8th and Alex Graman got a save as Eagles' Shima hit a grounder to Second baseman Hiroshi Hirao .

This game was a part of the Lions Classic. Yasumitsu Toyoda and Katsuya Nomura did ceremonial pitch. When I saw it, I thought I would cry. It was really good emotional ceremony.

Yasumitsu Toyoda's ceremonial pitchToyoda shook hands with Katsuya Nomura

昨日の岸はブルペンから違っていました。投球練習中からいつもと違って気合が入っていました。ゲーム中もストレートが時速１４５ｋｍを記録するなど、速球で押す力投を披露。７回を１失点で勝利投手になりました。この日は正津も好リリーフを見せました。最後はグラマンが嶋を二ゴロに。代わったばかりの平尾が捌いて試合終了。

今日もライオンズクラシックでたくさんのお客さんでした。豊田泰光と野村克也の始球式は泣きそうになるくらい感動でした。

Saitama Baseball Festival! 埼玉野球まつり!

It was Saitama Baseball Festival on last Friday. Lions held the game against the Marines at Omiya. Craig Brazell's homerun, which reached to Nack 5 Stadium, was amazing! Even though it was such a small ballpark, that was the best homerun I have ever seen!

From L: Lina, Kobaton(Saitama Prefecture's Mascot), Leo

Hiroshi Hirao(8), who was born and raised in Saitama, got biggest fan support that evening

行ってきました！大宮で行われた埼玉野球まつりのライオンズ対マリーンズ戦。ブラゼルのホームランすごかった！凄まじい打球をNACK５スタジアムにぶち込みました。埼玉出身のライオンズ選手は大きな声援を受けていましたが、中でも平尾に大きな声援が送られていました。カメラのフラッシュの数も一番多かったです。彼が打席に入った時は感動しました。

Steroid

It was sad for Daniel Rios to be suspended for a year. I am not sure what's happened about it; but, it's not fair for only four players per game to be tested for doping. All players should be tested. It's so strange to me that only non-Japanese playes got suspended for this issue.

リオスがドーピングでヤクルトを解雇されました。けど、一試合あたり各２人しか検査の対象にならないので、選手全員が調査対象になっていません。色々な事情があるにせよ、厳格性が欠けているような気がしますし、検査の対象にならずにバレていない選手がいるかもしれない事を考えると、発覚した選手はかわいそうな気がします。

Enjoy Saitama! Onsen (Hot Spring) and Lions Baseball (Seibu Dome Food)

Yesterday, I went to Chichibu(west part of Saitama Prefecture) to go to Onsen(hot spring). I went to Bukou Onsen, near Yokoze Station of Seibu Chichibu Line. It was really nice.
Entrance of the Bukou Onsen(Chichibu, Saitama)
I left the Onsen early than I wanted 'cause I wanted to see Lions vs Swallows game at Seibu Dome(Tokorozawa, Saitama). It was the first '08 Inter League game for Lions. Lions have some promotions for Inter League games. They have Inter League only Jersey. At the Dome, Concessions have Inter League only menus. That's my target for today's game other than Kaz Ishii pitched for the Lions.

Kyuukyoku no Kuro Buta-Don(Pork Bowl)
The pork of this bowl is raised in Saitama. Its rice is blended 50 brands of rice(Can you tell what kinds of rice they are using by just watching the right side picture?). The Saitama Pork is really tasty. I wasn't sure about blended brands' rice; but, this one was really good. I just didn't know blended brands' rice could be good as this one before. You can eat this during Inter League only, and it's limited for only 30 serves per game.

Pork Stick(Buta Kushi Yaki)
This one is really nice baked pork. You can eat this entire season.

I also ate Katsu-Jyuu(Pork Cutlet Bowl) , Tori Kara-Age(Fried Chicken), and Frankfurt Sausage(Sausage Stick). All of them are really great, as always at the Seibu Dome. But, I really ate too much. Two rice Bowls and three other Tsumami(Side Dishes) for a game were too much for me, they were great taste though.

I was so amazed by the home run of Craig Brazell to tie the game in the 5th; but, Lions lost the game after Chikara Onodera gave up a run in the 6th.

今日は埼玉を満喫しました！秩父で温泉に入った後、所沢でライオンズの試合を観戦。交流戦限定メニューの究極の黒豚丼を筆頭に、球場フードもおいしかった！この日は豚づくしって感じで、黒豚丼の他に豚串焼き、熱れつ亭のかつ重、フランクフルトを食べました。豚以外には、熱れつ亭のから揚げを食べました。ライオンズが負けたのは残念だったけど、最高の一日でした。

Lions Classic

Wow! Saitama Seibu Lions will have special promotion for this summer. It's Asahi Super Dry Lions Classic. It's a basically tribute ivent for then Nishitetsu Lions. Nishitetsu Lions was old Japanese baseball team located in Fukuoka. Their prime was in the 1950's. Lions web site says they will sell special goods such as uniforms and caps. A uniform Jersey for this summer is so cool. You can check it at the Lions web site at http://www.seibulions.jp/expansion/lions_classic/index.php They will also sell special tickets. A special ticket will be including a souvenior (ex a Nike uniform jersey) with unbelievably low price. Seibu Dome will also have special foods. Please check the web site above for more information.

埼玉西武ライオンズが西鉄ライオンズ時代の歴史を振り返るイベントをやるそうです。かっこいい復刻ユニとかのグッズ販売とか限定フードとかあるみたいです。楽しみです。

Swallows against Dragons at the Jingu Stadium May 15, 2008

Daniel Rios, warming up in the bullpen at the Jingu Stadium

Daniel Rios pitched for Swallows that day. I saw him for the first time. He pitched really strong first inning with three Ks; but, he lost the game. Even though he pitched good (just gave up two runs), that's enough for the Dragons. Masa Yamamoto of the Dragons recorded 3,000 innings pitched for his carrer when he left the game.

If you wanna enjoy stadium foods at the Jingu Staium, I really and strongly recommend you to go to out field area.

ダニエル・リオスが好投したものの、山本昌が自身の通算３，０００投球回数を勝利で飾りました。