2008 GAJET Baseball Trip

Submitted by lyle on Wed, 2008/04/23 - 12:01.
2008/05/24 - 10:30
2008/05/24 - 21:59
Event Information:

TICKET PURCHASING IS OVER... but it's not too late to go. If you still want to go email and I'll teach you how to buy your own ticket at Lawson's

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Batter up! Spring is finally here, and that means the wild world of Japanese besuboru is starting its official 2008 season. If you've never seen Japan's professional version of this popular American pastime, you're in for a treat. Fan activity in the stands belies the stereotypes about reserved, composed Japanese behavior; sometimes it's hard to know where to look -- at the players on the field, or at the half-crazed pylon-waving maniacs all around you?
GAJET is proud to sponsor a trip to a May Pacific League evening matchup between the Seibu Lions and the Yomiuri Giants at the Goodwill Dome (formerly Seibu Dome) in Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama.
lions.jpgTokyoYomiuriGiants2.GIF
We'll carpool to the Goodwill Dome, home of the Seibu Lions (Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka's former team). We'll watch some ball, gorge ourselves silly on snacks and beer, shout ourselves mute with cheering, and try to avoid being trampled by thousands of screaming Lions and Giants fans. Sounds like fun, ne?
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Tickets for the outfield (a lot more fun than the infield, in my opinion, and cheap to boot!) are ¥1600. The game starts at 1pm but we will want to arrive several hours before that to reserve a good sprawling spot in the outfield. As usual, if you want to attend please comment below or send an email to gajet.admin [at] gmail DOT com BY MAY 10th at noon. Please also tell me if you're willing to drive, and if so, how many passengers (other than yourself) you can fit. Once I have all the sign-ups, I will arrange suitable carpools.
sei_pic01.jpg

----- The List Starts ------
Lyle*
Kelli
Diana Griffin
Mindy Barkman
Joyce Wong
Odelia Bay
Brett Collins
Harmony*
Melissa Doering
Tim Van Schaick
Clarissa Codrington + 5
----- The List Ends ------

Event Location:

Goodwill Dome, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama-ken

Event Directions:

We will be carpooling from Gunma (probable meeting place: Takasaki or Maebashi station, TBA) to the Goodwill Dome in Tokorozawa. Those who wish to take the train instead may do so, though this option is not nearly as cost-effective. Expect to pay about ¥5,000 roundtrip if you take the train; directions can be found at this website: http://www.baywell.ne.jp/users/drlatham/baseball/seegame/parks/lions.htm

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5000?

Submitted by Hyakuman on Wed, 2008/04/23 - 14:53.
lyle wrote:

Expect to pay about ¥5,000 roundtrip if you take the train

If you're taking the local train like most people do, you can do it with 2960 yen for the round trip from Takasaki. People further in the East can do it for 1500 - 2000 yen using Tobu lines.

lyle's picture

Depends on the route you choose....

Submitted by lyle on Wed, 2008/04/23 - 15:56.

The cheapest route I could find would be
JR Hachiko Line HIGASHIHANNO
Seibu Chichibu Line HANNO(SAITAMA)
Seibu Ikebukuro NISHITOKOROZAWA
Seibu Sayama Line SEIBUKYUJOMAE

Which totals at 1570 each way -> 3140 round trip.
It requires 4 changes (well, maybe 3... depends on which Hachiko Line you get on), which sucks if you're not comfortable on the trains and differences between JR and private companies yet.

For the train weak the route the map in the post suggests is:
JR Takasaki Line to IKEBUKURO
Seibu Ikebukuro Line to NISHITOKOROZAWA
Seibu Sayama Line to SEIBUKYUJOMAE

Which totals 2250 each way -> 4500 round trip.
Assuming you're starting in Takasaki.

So yes, it's possible to get there for less than 5k roundtrip.

As a side note:

Taking the expressways by car puts each car liable for 2300 in tolls each way, plus gas and parking. Maybe a total 6000 yen. Divide that among 5 to a car, and we're talking about ~1200 yen per person both ways.

I know which route I'm taking.

Indeed.

Submitted by Hyakuman on Thu, 2008/04/24 - 09:21.

I'm not discouraging against the carpooling, I think it's a damn good idea (minus the rediculous traffic & environmental implications, haha :P). What I mean is for those who are comfortable with taking the train, it's considerably less than the 5000 yen you were quoting.

I'm in Lyle. Brett

Submitted by GAJET Pres on Fri, 2008/05/09 - 10:41.

I'm in Lyle.

Brett Collins
GAJET Pres 2007/08

Harmony's picture

ok, I'm going too

Submitted by Harmony on Fri, 2008/05/09 - 10:54.

Ok, I want to see what all the hype is about, so count me in. I have a car and can fit 3 other people (4 if we squish) if need be.
-Harmony