(October 22, 2018, Niihama City) —  Buoyed by the team’s first playoff appearence in seven years, and by a new season record for attendance, the Ghosts organization threw a big party today to thank its now-rabid fans.

The Ghosts’ home park was filled beyond capacity for the free event, dubbed “Party in the Park,” and thousands more flocked to the saki-and-sushi stands that line the perimeter of the park. Fans crowded in the back entrance as players arrived on buses.

Many fans brought homemade signs pledging their support for the team, particularly the very popular starting pitcher Kata Nakamura.  They were urged to stay at the festival just a few hours, to give others time to get into the stadium and cheer for their team.

Inside, delirous fans in the stands shouted “Nasty!  Nasty!  Nasty!”  This was an apparent reference to the oft-repeated quote by Shin Seiki General Manager Kevin Vail, “Nii is a nasty squad.”  (In fact Ghosts fans during the final weeks of the season took to calling their team “The Nasties.”)

“Thank you fans!” shouted team owner Akane “Hank” Kenkyusham Jr. in a speech to the crowd.  “You are the best fans in Japan!  We love you!”

Kenkyusham, 42, had reason to be pleased.  The Ghosts in 2018 not only made the playoffs, but set a franchise record for attendance, topping even 2017’s record, and breaking the hallowed 2.5 million mark.  Scalpers were said to be getting millions of yen for late-season tickets, and the legal resale website “StubHubSan” was also seeing record demand for Ghosts tickets.

The day-long “Party at the Park” was conceived by GM Mike Dunn.  “Since all the playoff games are in Shin Seiki, and none at home, we decided it would be nice to have something at our home park — a combination thank you/pep rally,” said the gaijin, now in his eighth season as general manager.

All members of the organization — players at all levels, coaches, front office staff and even the grounds crew — appeared on the field during the celebration at Oikake Maze.

Speaking for his teammates, first baseman Nori Oike addressed the crowd during the festivities:  “We love you!  Thank you for your support!  We need your help to beat the Evas!”  This  mention of the team that the Ghosts will face in the Wasei Junkesshou playoff prompted the throng to boo loudly.

Some in the highest stadium seats spontaneously broke into the chant, “Evas suck!  Evas suck!  Evas suck!” while others jeered “Beat Vail’s Gals!  Beat Vail’s Gals!”

“No, no, no!” Oike continued.  “We respect our opponents!  They are the cream of the League of the Rising Sun!  We bow to their continued dominance!  But we too are formidable, and the Evas had best be well prepared for our arrival!”  This sent most of the fans into a near-apoplectic frenzy.

Activities included dancing by the team’s cheerleaders, and appearances by the Ghost’s popular mascot, Blinky.

Blinky enthralled the crowd by wagging his posterior at an actor dressed up as a Shin Seiki player, then throwing the actor into a large pool of water.

The Ghosts open their best-of-seven playoff against the Evas on October 24th.  Oddsmakers have Shin Seiki as 5-2 favorites.