So while I was on deployment, I got the opportunity to attend a Japanese Professional baseball game between the Yokohama Bay Stars and the Tokyo Giants. It was an awesome experience, so a few little things to get out of the way, they still have hot dogs, although they serve a much larger variety of food beyond that including sushi, yakisoba and a ton of other options. The thing that struck me the most though was the level of respect for the game and the opposing team. The fans absolutely love their team, and are as loyal as European futbol fans, they have chants, noise makers and are incredibly loud. The biggest difference though is that they are absolutely silent when the opposing team is at bat; instead of taunting they remain quiet to an almost scary level. Having grown up in the states and accustomed to jeering, taunting and heckling being part of our fanatic attitudes, I was a little bit in awe. The flip side of this is you cheer to the max during your at bat. I loved it, I could go to games like that all the time, really making me think about my own cheering/heckling methods. I went to the game as a command function and we had a blast, really trying to get into the spirit of the Bay Stars fans, giving high fives and running up and down the aisles. I also learned that the wave is not permitted at Japanese sporting functions, still not sure why but 3 ushers and 2 policeman (all at once) very politely informed me after I had 3 sections going that I could not continue, encouraging the crowd. I would rank my Japanese baseball experience in my top 5 sports experiences right now.