The Koshien Stadium is the oldest professional ball park in Japan. It is the ball park where the first ball game was played between the Major league All Star team and the Japan all star team back in 1934. According to reports, upon arrival at the stadium, Babe Ruth's first words were 'It's too damn big.'

As most ball players in Japan agree, to play ball at the Koshien Stadium is pure heaven if you are a Tigers player, and pure hell if you play for any one else.

In many of the interviews I have had with ex-Tigers players who have retired or moved on to other teams, I have heard this exact same comment.

“If Heaven would grant me just one wish, even for a day... I would give anything to play in the Tigers pin stripes at the Koshien Stadium”

In most ball parks in the world, you will have fans from both teams. Not here, unless you count the 2 to 300 fearless die hard fans from the opposing team that slip through (who are often in disguise).    The fans at the Koshien Stadium are literally considered to be the 10th player of the team, and often are the decisive factor that seals the fate of the game, with their cheers and/or jeers. (If you want to learn colorful Japanese, this is also the place to come)

These photos are from various games spread across the 2002 to 2005 season.  In 2008, the Koshien Stadium wen through renovation, and some of the sights and views have changed.  The one thing that hasn’t changed though... are the fans.

Enjoy.

RETURN TO GALLERY