At Safeco Field

〝 Ichiro!〝
An American man whose seat was ahead of us on the right shouted at the Japanese player on his back. We had bleachers seats behind the right field, so we were able to see Ichiro’s back very well.
This “We” means 15 Hospitality Tourism College students, 15 Hospitality Tourism College Osaka students, a tour coordinator from ISS of the Edmonds Community College and two Japanese teachers (including me). We visited Seattle for a two-weeks short-term studying abroad programme and I was their escort. Yes, it was a business trip to me. The baseball game? It was Mariners vs. Rangers and, of course, I had to be with the student, didn’t I?
As the player did not react to him at all, the man did a palms up gesture and happened to turn around to us. Naturally he did not know more than 30 Japanese were watching him, so he was surprised to see us first. Then he smiled to us saying, “OK, guys, let’s call Ichiro together!”. Well, why not? So, after his calling out “One, two, three”, we shouted “Ichiro!!” a couple of times and we successfully made him glace over his shoulder! The poor player did not know what was happening, but we were so happy with his attention.
The American man left before the 9th inning started. The score was 0 to 4 and the Mariners were losing. However, before his leaving, he said to us “You guys are awesome!”. Though I said “You, too!” back to him, I regretted not saying “So you are” which can be more smart. English learning will never end.

Kazuko Sato
Hospitality & Tourism College Tokyo