I compose this dispatch on the precipice of my next international trip as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
Unlike the previous two – Scotland (Event No. 2 – The Open) and Montreal (Event No. 7 – The Presidents Cup) – this one has me, um, excitedly terrified.
OK, terrified might be too strong a descriptor, but unlike my first two trips that left U.S. borders, this one doesn’t simply take me one nation to the north or even across the Atlantic Ocean to a place that still calls English the official language. No, this one travels 14-plus hours west – so far west, in fact that it becomes east – Seoul, South Korea. Then, after several days there it’s off to Tokyo, Japan, for the second leg.
Last time I checked, Korea and Japan have wildly different cultures from what I’ve experienced for nearly 58 years of life. English is not the primary language and, speaking of language, I’m pretty certain no amount of advanced Babbel study would help me read menu items in the amount of prep time I’ve had. (Here’s hoping there are some pictures or staff who are willing to assist.)
So what is it that’s taking me and four buddies halfway around the world for the better part of 10 days?
In Korea the plan is to see a Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) game in Seoul’s Jamsil Baseball Stadium and, possibly, a Korean Basketball League (KBL) Championship Series game in the Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium.
What I did not predict was how challenging securing KBO tickets would be. It turns out Korean baseball is wildly popular and – far and away – the most sought-after sports tickets in the country. Non-season tickets are only made available eight days prior to the game, there’s a four ticket limit, and a Korean address is required to purchase. Further complicating our predicament is that Seoul’s LG Twins play their Jamsil co-tenants, the Doosan Bears, when we’re looking to attend with a seating capacity of 25,000. Oh yeah, it’s also a long holiday weekend while we’ll be there. We’ve got someone on the case and – fingers fully crossed – we’ll wind up going. Otherwise, it’s likely to be the Gocheok SkyDome for a Kiwoom Heroes game as a consolation.
As for the KBL, if the Seoul Knights (the regular-season winners) advance to the Championship Series we’re going to try and get there if schedules permit … and the ticket gods bless us;-)
Meanwhile, in Japan, tickets for a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) game between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the crosstown rival Yomiuri Giants in Yakult’s historic Meiji Jingu Stadium have already been secured. What has not been secured, however, are duckets for the May Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
I was online at the prescribed hour and was feverishly refreshing my browser but had no success. The entire two week tournament is sold out and, by all accounts, was no sooner than I’d logged in. There is a secondary market, but the prices are steep and consumers are warned about an abundance of counterfeits. Will we want to see this tradition-rich sport at the cost? I’m thinking yes, but that’ll likely be discussed during our time together in Seoul.
As for the sports stuff, I’ll keep you all updated – best I can – here at The Sports Fan Project. And for the rest of my travels, I’ll be trying to post regular brief Travelogues over at my Middle-Aged Male Musings‘ site. If you’re not subscribed to either/both, I invite you to do so now to have all posts delivered directly to your inbox.
Five days until wheels up (he types nervously).
Wish me luck!