The appeal of baseball goes beyond the action on the field. The electric atmosphere at the stadium, mingling with fellow fans, getting cold drinks and great snacks are just a few of the various charms of going to a ballpark. But one can only truly enjoy the moment in person. We spoke with Sayaka, a member of the Rakuten Girls who also works as a beer vendor at Chiba Marine Stadium in Japan, about the differences and appeals of baseball in Japan and Taiwan.

“When you think of baseball cheering, what image comes to your mind? In Japan, it’s usually fans in the outfield seats rallying together with megaphones for their team. But in Taiwan, it’s a totally different scene. Cheerleaders dance on the dugout roof to each player’s individual theme song, and they energize the whole stadium. Japan and Taiwan may be geographically close, but our cheering cultures are completely different. I want to share the fun that goes beyond the action on the field, the whole experience of watching a baseball game.”

“I wasn’t originally interested in baseball. But when I started working as a beer vendor at a baseball stadium, I saw the passion that the fans had, and I saw everyone enjoying themselves at the games. That’s what got me interested in baseball. At first I didn’t even know the rules or what made a good play, but the more games I watched, the more hooked I got, until I was traveling all over Japan to watch matches. You really never know what’s going to spark your interest!”

“And then I wanted to go see baseball games abroad. I went to Taoyuan Baseball Stadium to see an exhibition match between the Lamigor Monkeys (now Rakuten Monkeys) and the Chiba Lotte Marines, and that’s where I met the Rakuten Girls. They were hyping up the crowd right alongside the fans, which is a style of cheering that is totally different from Japan. I went back again and again after that, and eventually got the chance to join the Rakuten Girls. I’m not in Taiwan full-time, so it’s tough to find opportunities to practice routines with the Girls, but I use every spare moment to learn the songs and choreography. Knowing there are fans who look forward to seeing me is what keeps me going.”

“The cheering styles of the two countries are different, so the atmosphere of the stadiums are also different. In Japan, the power comes from outfield supporters all voicing their support in unison. In Taiwan, the cheerleaders dance in the infield stands, and the fans dance together with them, creating an incredible sense of unity. The energy that builds up across the entire stadium is staggering, and I think it really drives the players forward. When a rally song kicks in, the heat just skyrockets. The dance routines are hard, but it’s more than worth it, and knowing I’m part of creating that atmosphere makes me so happy. All that energy is not something you can see in photos, so I really want everyone from Japan to visit a Taiwanese ballpark at least once. I’m positive they’ll be hooked.”

“Going forward, I’d love to act as a bridge between Japan and Taiwan, helping more people come and watch Taiwanese baseball. You can go alone to a baseball game at a Japanese stadium, but going overseas to watch a game can feel like a really high bar, even if Japan and Taiwan are so close. I want to break down that barrier. I’ve organized what I call ‘Sayaka Tours’ for Japanese fans before, and I’d love to eventually bring the Japanese beer-vending culture to Taiwan too. That’s my secret ambition!”

Interview: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)
Text: Kodai Wada