4/5/2014: Tokyo, Japan – Build it and they will come.  Add some more seats and some more will come.  At least that’s the hope Neo-Tokyo owner Katsuhiro Otomo has after approving funds to add 5,000 additional seats to Neo-Tokyo Grounds, home of the Akira since their induction into The League of the Rising Sun.  That’s just part of the facelift project designed to put a new shine on the aging park.

There have been rumors that plans were in the works for a brand new stadium but the generous Otomo shot that speculation down as being premature.  In a prepared statement, he explained, “We certainly have had great success in the past few years both financially and on the field, but the cost of a new stadium project is beyond our means at this time.  We have to focus on putting together our team on the field at this point.  Neo-Tokyo Grounds has served us well up to now.  We have committed ourselves to this great city and the great fans of this team by making these improvements.”

The new seating will include first class luxury suites situated below the second deck.  Included among these are two emperor suites that feature a private 4-star chef who will create personalized meals for suite owners and guests, as well as wet bars with bartenders supplied.  Full leather massaging recliners replaced the fixed cushion chairs.  The Akira will have to create a lot of excitement on the field to get those lucky fans out of those seats and on their feet.

It’s more likely that ticket buyers who purchase seats in the newly added outfield bleachers will be on their feet.  Closer to the action, these were added when the new high-definition Sony scoreboard was installed and raised 100 feet from its former position.  That state-of-the-art board is viewable from every location in the park, sure to bring some extra flash to the game.

The Neo-Tokyo Grounds expansion project comes on the heels of Neo-Tokyo’s best year ever in terms of attendance.  A team-record 2,292,730 paying fans watched the Akira battle for a second straight playoff spot in the increasingly competitive Shining Star Group.  That was more fans than showed up at the park during the lean years of 2008 and 2009 combined.  Those seasons saw NeTo finish with their worst records in team history, losing 194 games.  But as they say, winning puts fannies in the seats.  The club’s winning ways, including their 2012 Neo-Tokyo Cup run, have created excitement throughout this baseball-hungry city.

General Manager Ron Hiscock bragged, “We have the most loyal fans around.  We can count on our fans supporting us when we give them something to cheer about.  It’s time we stopped thinking like we’re a small-market team and start competing with the big boys, on the field and in the front office.”

Despite those words, Neo-Tokyo is playing a game of “keeping up with the Jinsus”.  Rival Shin Seiki GM Kevin Vail has also announced their plans to increase capacity at Genesis Park to 45,000.  The Akira GM noted, “Their resources will only continue to grow.  They are a well-run team in every way.  Our intention is to keep the pressure on the Evas by strengthening our position.”

NeTo has assured fans that ticket prices will remain at 2013 levels for the foreseeable future.  “We want increase revenue by bringing in more fans, not having fans pay more.  It’s the best of both worlds.”

To lure more fans to the newly expanded park, the organization plans on rolling out several highly publicized events, including “Manga Mania” night, where the first 100 fans dressed as their favorite character from the Akira manga series get free entry.  One of those lucky fans will get the opportunity to run the bases during the 7th inning stretch at each home game.  The participant with the fastest time by season’s end will receive two season tickets for 2015.

Another promotion was an enigmatic puzzle contest placed in the Japan Times sports section.  The first person who could correctly solve the anagram “O I took Mr Ash out” will receive tickets for the home opener vs. the Kure Arsenal on May 16.  The only clue was that it was associated in some way with the organization.  “Shakira is hot”, although true, is not the answer.

The greatest impetus for NeTo’s rise in attendance has been the acquisition of players who have caught on with the fans.  Without a doubt, the signing of former Alianza Béisbol Al Sur de la Frontera All-Star Enrique Ortíz was the turning point in the team’s fortunes.  Capturing the 2013 SSG Saiyu-shu-senshu cemented his place in fans hearts.  The trade for Nobuhitu Hasegawa and the promotion of pitching prospect Takiji “Eager Beaver” Mitzutani give the fans plenty to look forward to in 2014.

There will be plenty of seats waiting for those fans at Neo-Tokyo Grounds.