A circle of friends connected by goo touch! The “FIST BUMP” corner of the radio program “GRAND MARQUEE” features people who live and enjoy Tokyo in a relay format.
On August 16, photographer Munehiro Saito will join us to talk about the appeal of Jingu Stadium and the joys of watching baseball games at the stadium.
INDEX
The charm of Jingu Stadium is “serenity”
Celeina (MC): Today, I would like to welcome photographer Munehiro Saito. Please give him my best regards.
Takano (MC): Nice to meet you.
Celeina: Mr. Saito, you are wearing a Swallows uniform.
Saito：This is Tetsuto Yamada’s uniform when he was still number 23.
Celeina: So it is a rare uniform.
Saito：I wonder if it is rare.
Celeina: Mr. Saito, you are from Yamagata, so I would like to ask you how you became a Swallows fan.
Saito： I used to watch Swallows games during Nomura’s time as manager, and when I moved to Tokyo and visited Jingu Stadium, I was attracted by the atmosphere. I have been a fan ever since.
Celeina: Is that because it is Jingu Stadium?
Saito: Yes, I think it was because of Jingu Stadium.
Takano: I guess Jingu Stadium has its own unique charm?
Saito：Yes, Jingu Stadium is very calm. It’s hard to find a ballpark in the heart of the city that is so peaceful and has such a good mood.
Takano: There is a bit of greenery and the sky is open.
INDEX
Because I am a fan, I cheer for the team according to its condition.
Celeina: What do you think is the appeal of the Yakult Swallows?
Saito：This may overlap with the reason why I became a fan, but I think it’s their mild, easy-going, friendly, and cheerful nature.
Celeina: The guests we have had on the program this week have also said that the Yakult Swallows have a gentle atmosphere.
Takano: Yes, and also that they are at home.
Saito: That’s right.
Celeina：That word was there too.
Saito： For me, I am attracted to the homey feeling.
Celeina： I see. How are you watching the Yakult Swallows this season?
Saito: I am enjoying watching them. As for another voice, I am watching with the hope that they will make it to the top.
Celeina: So the important thing is not whether they are strong or weak.
Saito:Yes, it is. I think there are times when a team is in good shape and times when they are in bad shape. So, as a fan, I think there is a way to cheer for the team from time to time, and I enjoy it.
Takano: Who is your personal favorite player? Is it Tetsuto Yamada?
Saito: I’d like to say “Tetsuto Yamada”, but I’d have to say Murakami. I think he is already a key player, and without him, the team would not be able to do what it does.
Celeina: What are the highlights of this three-game series of the DeNA BayStars?
Saito: I’m sure everyone has their own highlights, but personally, I would say Shiomi and Yamada, who are back from injuries. Also, it is the time of year when fireworks go off, so I think children who come to the stadium will be able to see the fireworks and enjoy it in a different way.
INDEX
What are some of the unique ways to enjoy watching a baseball game at the stadium?
Celeina: How many times have you been to Jingu Stadium this season?
Saito:I haven’t actually been able to see a game live this season. However, I have seen a lot of videos.
Celeina: Of course it’s great to see the games live, but you can watch them on video from a closer distance. Is there any advantage of watching on video?
Saito: With video, you can see the pitch distribution and the tactics of the game, so I think it is different from the viewpoint at the stadium.
Takano: When you watch the games at Jingu Stadium, where do you like to sit?
Saito: I tend to sit behind the bench. In the beginning, I used to shout out in the outfield, but I’ve reached an age where it’s getting a little too difficult for me to do so.
Takano: So you are enjoying it slowly.
Celeina: That’s nice. By the way, we are baseball beginners. How should we enjoy?
Saito: I guess you have to shout, work up a sweat, drink beer, and so on.
Takano:it’s great!
Celeina: That sounds great. We visited Jingu Stadium last week to watch a baseball game, and you said it had a festival feel, Takano-san.
Takano: Yes, I felt a festival feeling, or a festive feeling. I was feeling more excited than usual, and although I am not a person who can drink a lot of alcohol, I drank a lot of beer and felt pretty relaxed.
Saito: That’s the best part of watching the festival outside. It feels great, doesn’t it?
Celeina: When you go to the stadium to watch the game, do you also take drinks with you?
Saito: In the beginning, I used to drink a lot, but when I got drunk, I felt a little too much, so in recent years, I’ve been trying to watch the game with less alcohol and concentrate on the baseball.
Celeina: So you watch the games seriously?
Saito: More or less, yes.
Takano: Thank you very much. I would love to hear more from you, but let’s interrupt for a song. I asked him to choose a song that we would all like to listen to together on the radio at this time. What song would it be?
Saito: “SUMMER SOLDIER” by Sunny Day Service.
Takano: May I ask why you chose this song?
Saito: I used to listen to this song when I was around 20 years old. There were several songs that I thought of when I thought of summer, and this is one of them.
Takano: Let’s listen to it then.
Celeina: The photographer, Munehiro Saito, selected the song “SUMMER SOLDIER” by Sunny Day Service. you are a photographer by profession. Do you have any good spots for photographing Jingu Stadium?
Saito: Personally, I think the best place to take pictures is behind the net, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the entire diamond.
Takano: I see, from behind the net.
Celeina: Is it a special seat?
Saito: I guess so.
Celeina: Thank you very much, FIST BUMP, and this week we welcome photographer Munehiro Saito as part of our circle of friends connected by Yakult Swallows fans.
GRAND MARQUEE
J-WAVE (81.3FM) Mon-Thu 16:00 – 18:50
Navigator: Shinya Takano, Celeina Ann
