The Lupin front office signaled an increased emphasis on fan appreciation, hosting what they caller the first annual “Crash the Castle” extravaganza on opening night of the 2018 Wasei Junkesshou. “The Wasei Junkesshou represents everything that is right about Japanese baseball,” new GM Ron Collins said in a media announcement released the morning before the games. “The team invites all Cliff Hanger fans to join us at the ballpark to watch the games, celebrate the end of one era, and rejoice in the beginning of another.” Admittancewas free, and the first 10,000 fans who showed up will received a bento box with rice balls, pickeld veggies, and a MOS Burger.” And, of course, there were beer girls.

The team put both games on a split view of the centerfield diamond vision, and had several performers walk through the crowd entertaining throughout the evening. In addition, several of the team’s players appeared and spoke to the fans, thanking them for their patronage. “I hope that next year’s ‘Crash the Castle’ will be a live show,” said sensational 23-year-old starting pitcher Akira Watanabe. The fans cheered and chanted “Kira! Kira! Kira! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!” while holding double “K” signs up to their eyes to show support for the fire balling hurler who has been nicknamed “Four Eyes” because hitters with only two eyes can’t see the ball when he throws it.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came before the first pitches when the team presented a retrospective of past GM Jim Konopka, whose service was commended and documented in a short video that had been secretly developed by longtime fan Hayao Miyazaki. In addition, Collins read a brief statement from PEBA high-pooh-bahs Dan DiVincenzo, Jeffrey Dudas, and John Rodriguez. “It’s awfully hard to replace a legend like Jim,” read the release. There was not a dry eye in the house.

“We wanted to let the fans know we cared,” said a spokesperson for the team. “Cliff Hanger fans have always been the best in the world.”

We have no idea what the future holds for performance on the field in 2019, but we can report that ever fan who left the ballpark at the end of 2018 walked out feeling refreshed and full of joy.