Yokohama DeNA BayStars Fan Festival "BAY BLUE FESTIVAL" Kicks Off to Huge Crowds at Yokohama Stadium

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars fan festival, officially named "Yokohama DeNA BayStars BAY BLUE FESTIVAL 〜 BAYSTARS FUN! DAYS 〜 Supported by Ariake Harbor" (commonly known as "Bay Blue Fes"), grandly opened on November 22nd at Yokohama Stadium, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd of fans.

DAY1, the first day of the festival, welcomed Haruyo Yamaguchi of Hinatazaka46 as a special guest. She wowed the crowd with an impressive no-bounce ceremonial first pitch. Fans were particularly surprised by her straight, non-lofty trajectory, noting her remarkable improvement. Toshiro Miyazaki stood in the batter's box, creating a spectacular pairing.

During "BAY BLUE SHOW TIME," one of the event's highlights, player Yamato and DJ.STARMAN delivered a dream collaboration, electrifying the venue. Fans lauded them with comments like "too cute!" and "too cool!", praising DJ.STARMAN's DJing skills. Furthermore, BAAD appeared on the live stage, performing their hit song "Kimi ga Sukiだと Saketai" (I Want to Shout That I Love You), uniting the audience.

The festival also featured numerous opportunities for direct interaction between players and fans. In "BAY☆TALK 〜Entrance Song Edition〜," players engaged in in-depth discussions about their choices for entrance music and their favorite genres, accompanied by impressions from MC Laparfait. A photo session with players Yasuaki Yamasaki and Yutaro Ishida was held in the locker room, creating unforgettable moments for fans. Yamasaki also showcased his skilled hosting as an MC, further energizing the venue.

Inside the venue, player-produced gourmet food and limited-edition merchandise were available for purchase. While long queues were temporarily observed at Victory Court, reports indicated that purchases proceeded smoothly due to earlier gate openings and BayStore operating hours. Gourmet items produced by Manager Miura and player Irie proved so popular that they sold out by early afternoon.

Attending fans expressed high satisfaction, with many commenting, "It was fun being there" and "It was great to be able to watch leisurely." However, given that it was an outdoor event in this season, some also highlighted the importance of cold weather preparations, advising, "It's cold without sun. Tights are necessary. A scarf is the right choice." The event was also streamed on U-NEXT, allowing fans across the country to enjoy it.

Yokohama Park, surrounding Yokohama Stadium, was also adorned with Christmas decorations, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. After an exciting first day, the Bay Blue Fes will continue to captivate fans with a variety of content in the coming days.

The context

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars are a professional baseball team based in Yokohama, Japan, playing in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Fan festivals are common off-season events for Japanese sports teams, designed to show appreciation for fans, provide unique opportunities for interaction with players and staff, and build excitement for the upcoming season. These events often feature stage performances, talk shows, autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and special merchandise or food sales.

Hinatazaka46 is a popular Japanese idol group, and it's common for celebrities from the entertainment industry to participate in sports events, particularly by performing ceremonial first pitches or opening performances, which helps to draw wider public attention to the event and the team. Toshiro Miyazaki and Yasuaki Yamasaki are prominent players for the BayStars, with Miyazaki known for his hitting and Yamasaki as a key relief pitcher (closer). Manager Miura Daisuke is a legendary figure for the team, having spent his entire playing career with the BayStars before becoming their manager.