Jingu is a great venue in a great location that is not at all optimized and has completely failed to make key changes that should have been made a decade ago. In other words, we’re at least 20 years behind the times.

Chiba, under the Bobby Valentine – Larry Rocca regime, has made some great strides. We were invited out there last summer and were greatly impressed.

For reasons beyond mere bias, I would disagree that the Tokyo Dome offers much, but I’ll admit that I haven’t tried to change a baby there – I’m more concerned that all of the OF seats have bad views and that it’s generally a crappy venue for baseball (but gets all of the big events.)

Jingu does leave a lot to be desired, though, and we hope, year after year, that Yakult will get a clue. . . but they never have.

Diaper changing aside, kids are tolerated well out in the hardcore section.

Shumai, my heart is with you, and I think I can speak for the other guys here at the Tsubamegun. I have been dreaming of natural grass since 2001. I see no reason for not having natural grass other than the fact that Yakult are shit owners who don’t give a damn about the team or the game.

There are also a lot of things that could be done to increase the Swallows’ popularity – we have proposed quite a few, and even had some accepted, but the team never follows up. In other words, it comes back to the fact that Yakult is clearly not interested in doing anything to improve the team. Apathy still rules.

I hope that’s not too pessimistic.

I wish Jingu’s infield seating had more leg room.
Also since I have a one-year old, I wish Jingu would be more accomodating to kids.
Out of the ballparks I went to last year with my family….
Marine Stadium not only had an awesome kid’s space, it had a department-like diaper-changing and breast-feeding area.
Yokohama Stadium, Tokyo Dome, and Skymark Stadium had decent kids area.
Jingu has none.

Yeah, yeah, I know that a ballpark ain’t a place for women and children, yada yada, but should I retire my umbrella now that I have a family???

Ken, the Swallows started off being owned by Kokutetsu – kind of a national team, no?

If 7-11 buys the Saitama Lions, the Asia Series will become even more confusing.