The Hanshin Tigers is one of the oldest teams in Japan's baseball history, and the team has been wowing the fans since it was founded in 1935. Its home, the aging Koshien Stadium, was built in 1924 and is Japan's oldest, best-known, best-loved open-air baseball park. In 1934, Babe Ruth graced the diamond with his presence as a member of a touring major-league team. Koshien also hosts the annual spring and summer high school baseball tournament, so the Tigers spend an inordinate amount of time on the road. The season runs from April through September. Tickets can be bought at the stadium or via Ticket PIA. 1-82, Koshien-machi, Hyogo Prefecture (take the Hanshin train line from Umeda to Koshien-Mae station), Nishinomiya. Phone 0798-47-1041. http://hanshintigers.jp.
