I went to my first Korean baseball game Sunday. It was a lot of Fun. We took a bus from Dae Dong (where I live in Pusan) to the Pusan Sport Complex. It took about 30 minutes by bus to get to the stadium. Once there I noticed how big this place was. It's a relatively new stadium that seat about 27,000 people. The area around is a Sport complex with a basketball arena, soccer field, and double Olympic size pool. It was one of the venues for the 1988 Olympics and is the Main Venue for this September's Asian Games here in Pusan.

Once I was at the game I found out that a couple things were different in Korean Baseball from its American counterpart. I was told that there are many double headers. When was the last time you heard of a scheduled double-header in the States? Next you can buy ticket on-line, but not for the second game of a double-header until the 8th inning or 5PM. Another thing is unlike the States, the team store or venders with products are not available before the game.

So, with no shopping to do and my student and I could not get tickets we went to a traditional Korean BBQ. It was very traditional. You take off your shoes, sit at the tables that are low to the ground and too small for westerners. It very good or as they say in Korea "Ma-sheet-ta"

As in everything here in Korea if you are 180 cm or 6 feet or more its to short for you. I noticed there's very little culture shock here, but the biggest for me in the month I have been here has been that everything is about 90 cm or 3 feet too short for me. That is to say when I first moved into my apartment the one mirrors only came up to my throat and the other one my waist. At one point I had to take pillow and get on my knees to shave until finally I told myself that this is my apartment and I can change the mirror height to my size.

Well back to the ball game. Once we bought tickets I saw even the tickets were different. The tickets were four time the size and used thinner paper than the ones you get in the States. Also unlike the States where it is different price for different sections and levels it is one price and you can sit anywhere. The ticket cost about 5,000 Won or $4.50 each.

Once in the Stadium I noticed the scoreboard and the general stadium was similar to those in the States without folding chairs, instead its more like plastic waiting room chairs you see in big office buildings. Another thing that was different was when we got to the first game the first game was just ending. The game was in the 8th inning and when the player came to battle they just flashed his picture unlike the States where the picture is up through the whole at bat of the player.

When the first game finally ended it was time for the in between entertainment and fan games. First, out came the Cheerleaders wearing what would be thought in the west as long skirts down to their knees. Then they ask in Korean who would like to dance. I told my student very fast I could not dance. Then the M.C. noticed me and told me to come to the stand. I was the only white guy there and I stuck out like a sore thumb. I went up to stand begrudgingly and decide I would be the stump white guy. The M.C. asked in Korean were I was from and I said LA (not wanting to tell Orange County knowing full well he have no idea were that was, but he would know LA). Right in front of me was a Korean wearing an LA Dodgers blue Jersey and he screamed Dodgers, so for the first time I screamed go Dodgers (being an Anaheim Angels fan it sounded weird). So I was dancing against two Koreans plus wearing a mask.

When it was done they took a vote for the top two people by the sound of the applause. First was a Korean, almost nothing, then a College student. All his friends cheered for him. Then me. The crowd went wild. It was not the fact I could dance I think, but because I was the white guy and yes dancing my sorry looking dance fast and hard.

Then came the moment of truth, me again the college student. First he went. I think at this point he knew I had the white guy vote so he did not try that hard. Then me- the crowd once again screamed. Then the vote. Would they still have bad feeling about the World Cup and how the U.S.A. tie the game or would they vote from their heart for the OK dance V. the Korean OK dance. Then the vote- a medium cheer for the Korean Student and a Loud great Cheer for me. I won, but all the same the three dances got the same prize. A large soft ball with the Lotte Giant Logo and stand for the ball. Along with this was two tickets, which I still have not used, for the Movies.

So I had won my first dance contest and most likely my last. Only in Korea can I win a Sing and a Dance contest. never the less one I am do well.

As for the game it was pretty good. It was up to MLB standards more like American-League Central games more than anything else. The game ended in 5-3. The Lotte Giants continued their 16 game loosing streak. There was still many high points. I saw my very first "LIVE" in the park home run by the Lotte Giants.

This week I was at MC Donald's near the Stadium and actually meet a Lotte Giant. His name is "Jose" and he is from the Dominican Republic. He is one of the star players and has been playing for the Lotte Giants for two years. Previously he play a year in the U.S. Majors, two year in Triple A and three in the Mexico League. He is an Outfielder and a fellow southpaw.

Well back to the game. The food at the game is a lot different than the States. First of all, the most popular snack is small boiled potatoes with light salt. Next, there is squid, and sea weed. A lot of different snacks. They also have the traditional hot dogs, popcorn, and soda. They have Korean beer and a soft drink that is like Sprite call "Sweet" that's right "Sweet", don't try to tell them what it means. They, like the Japanese, love the sound of the English language and that's one of their favorite words. I found you must be careful with English names and words because some translate in to sexual terms or dirty words in Korean and no I'M not going to tell you which ones.

When the game was over, unlike the States where they let you stay around to buy stuff or just hang out, in Korea they want you out. The stores are closed and the light to the stadium are turned off. It "Thank you for coming, now get the hell out".

When the game was over my student and I hung out in front of the stadium. In front of the stadium are several basket ball courts and the Large Asian Game Torch that will be lit in September for the Asian Games which will be played at this Sports Complex. After half an hour they again shut off the light. As if to tell us leave now. So that's what we did. Most of my students took separate buses back to our home about ten to 30 minutes away.

Now that I am living 10 minutes away from the Stadium and I can see the main Asian Game arena from my apartment and the Baseball Stadium from my school, I will be going to more games with my Korean and American friends.

So my advice is if you like baseball go to the game and have fun.