Waseda v. Keio Baseball Game

I am a student at Waseda; Keio is our rival university. The big game was on Saturday, November 1. A game of this caliber at an American university would be marked by drunken fighting, vandalism, and police (possibly in riot gear). However, as this is a country in which jaywalking is rare, all parties demonstrated the highest degree of civility.

Fans cheer at all times during Japanese baseball games, led by cheerleaders, a band, and something like a chant leader (see the pics). At the games conclusion, Waseda University, the visiting team, was permitted to perform its school song and cheer in complete silence, concluded with a tribute cheer to the Keio team and fans. The Waseda chant leader then commands silence from the Waseda fan base, turns to the Keio side, bows, and they begin their routine, again finished with an acknowledgement of Waseda’s team and fans.