notes:
The odd summer weather in Japan this year- a bit cooler than normal- has made it great for watching football. While the rain came down on Saturday, there really hasn't been any nasty typhoon weather. Sunday was warm, sunny, and beautiful. Hope we get more of the same for upcoming 'Silver Week' and can see some more fans out at the stadiums.
* Was a bit bleary eyed from (internet) watching NCAA games (Michigan-Notre Dame...wow!), but there was some exciting early season football played in Japan, too.
* Perhaps the most stunning event of the weekend and perhaps the early season so far was Kokushukan's upset of Waseda in college division 1 at Amino Vital. A goal line stand with 10 seconds remaining gave the Rhinos a 7-3 (!) victory over the Big Bears.
Kokushukan is new to Division 1 this year.
* The Rhinos occasionally share their practice field (and scrimmage) with the Unisys Bulls.
The Bulls also enjoyed their first win in (X-League) Division 1 after moving up this year, defeating the All-Mitsubishi Lions 17-14 at Kawasaki on Sunday. The Bulls and Fuji Xerox (3rd year in the top division) are both 1-1.
* While there is nothing like parity yet, but things are improving in the X-League somewhat. While definitely stronger than others lower in their division, the Asahi Silver Stars look vulnerable- they only led the Gas Creators by a mere 14-7 at the start of the 4th quarter.
* Kawasaki Stadium: I have to say, it keeps evolving as a better and better place for football. This year they have extended the stands further towards the end zone which was the former home of, well, home plate. Now the cheerleaders have a bit more room to...[come on] Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, a-Shake It. [Yeah, I know- shame on me]
There is consequently slightly less of it, but there is still a grassy "picnic area" behind home plate, which I would like to see families and fans and teams make more use made of.
* Other improvements at Kawasaki have included raising the scoreboard. Much more prominent and easier to see now. Just one problem: unfortunately the lights are just not powerful enough, so with the sun shining directly upon it it during much of the second half of the second game, it was impossible to see anything from the "Visitor" sideline.
When such times come (of course, exactly when depends on the time of year), perhaps it would help if the referee reminded the PA announcer to call out the time remaining each time the clock stopped, particularly say, in the last 3 minutes or so of each quarter. Fortunately it didn't turn out to be a factor in yesterday's 17-14 Bulls-Lions game- but it easily could have been.
* BTW seems like every time i see him officiate a game, Bill Passwaters is the umpire. Can't help wondering: is that because he likes it there, or do they put the gaijin in the officiating spot most likely to get caught up in the fray, or to get run over? [insert Yakety Sax footage here]
* I also think I have been seeing better officiating than in the past. Still some missed calls and bogus PI calls; and I have yet to witness a call for helmet-to-helmet contact in Japan. But it seems to be better informed, more decisive. There seem to be fewer of those confounded confabulations- all around, the zebras seem more sure of themselves in the midst of all those roaming Lions and Tigers and Bears.
