All Star Series 2006

After Missing out on an NFL pre-season game last year I knew for a fact that as soon as I could get a ticket for another professional sports appearance by any American team I would. That chance came this week as the MLB all stars and the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) Teams were squaring off for a 5 game series, one of which would be held in Fukuoka.

The Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka is where the Softbank Hawks play their regular season gaems. I haven't made it up here to watch any, but after tonight I promised myself I would get back up here to see an all Japanese game.

As expected the game surely excited. We (MLB All Stars) got into a hole after two solo homeruns. But in the bottom of the sixth we tied it and then took the lead as the heavy hitting was too much for their pitching. The NPB tied it in the top of the ninth with a bloop single and we couldn't muster a comeback in the bottom. So extra innings was a great way to end the game, and the series. The second batter for us in the extra frame was Jose Reyes from the New York Mets. He blasted a 2-1 pitch into the right field stands for a beautiful walk-off 2 run homerun. As I stood and aplauded you could see the only ones standing were Americans scattered around the park. The locals weren't to happy about it though.

It was great to see a professional game live again. Along with Reyes, there were All stars such as Ryan Howard (Phillies), David Wright (Mets), Andruw Jones (Braves), Chone Figgins (Angels), Jermaine Dye (White Sox), and many more.

Click on the picture to see it bigger:














Me in front of the field


















As they Introduced the All Stars


















The MVP of the entire 5 game series:Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies