A guide from a current Waseda student on how to enjoy the Waseda University Cheerleading Club x Saitama Seibu Lions collaboration 100 times more!
Thank you for opening this note🍀
Suddenly, did you know that on June 11th, the Saitama Seibu Lions and the Waseda University Cheerleading Club will be collaborating for a special cheering event?
In recent years, the Lions have collaborated with the brass bands of high schools where their players graduated (in Saitama). This year, they will collaborate with Hanasaki Tokuharu High School on the 9th and Urawa Gakuin High School on the 10th. On the other hand, not only is this the first collaboration with Waseda University, the alma mater of players Ishii and Hiruma, but it is actually the first time they have collaborated with a university cheerleading club!
I think many people have seen the cheering from Hanasaki Tokuharu or Urawa Gakuin to support local high schools or to enjoy the annual collaboration. However, many people are less familiar with university cheering compared to high school, and the cheerleading club itself is an organization completely different from a high school brass band.
This is a valuable opportunity to see authentic Waseda University Cheerleading Club performances at Belluna Dome. Therefore, as a current Waseda student and a fan of the Six University Baseball League, I would like to introduce the charm and highlights of Waseda's cheering! Please read until the end as preparation to enjoy the day even more!
About the structure of the Cheerleading Club
First, although I wrote that it is different from a high school brass band, I will explain what kind of organization the Cheerleading Club is in the first place.
The Cheerleading Club is divided into three parts: Leaders, the Brass Band, and Cheerleaders.
The Leaders are people who fit the image of a traditional "cheer squad"; they wear school uniforms (gakuran), clap, shout to liven up the cheering section, and perform "teku" (moving their arms and bodies in time with the music).
The Brass Band is basically almost the same as a high school brass band. However, a feature of the Cheerleading Club's brass band is the "drill." This is a type of marching where they move in formation while playing. In addition to playing instruments, there is also a "color guard" part that waves flags, which is very glamorous! (Please see the link below for details!)
Finally, the Cheerleaders I will introduce are a presence that colors the cheering section with glamorous dances and stunts (like gymnastics).
The "Cheerleading Club" and the cheering section are formed by combining these three parts.
Photography of members is prohibited
Although it is a university cheerleading club, basically photography is prohibited⚠️ This applies to both regular league games and this collaboration!!!!!! (Since high school brass bands allow photography, I want to make this known even more!)
Also, on the 11th only, not only the back of Outfield B (Rows 29-33, Seats 291-334) but also the front (Row 8, Seats 311-317, Rows 9-12, Seats 311-318) will be a special cheering performance area. Therefore, please be especially careful if you have secured seats near the back of Outfield B!!
Please stop taking photos just because they are cute, cool, or rare!! For the sake of the members' privacy, thank you for your cooperation.
Cheering on the day
As I wrote earlier, this collaboration will also use the front of the outfield. The reason for this is that a "conductor's podium" will be set up for the Leaders and Cheerleaders to stand on! The Leaders will perform "teku" and the Cheerleaders will dance on this podium.
Therefore, while you will be cheering while facing forward, you will feel like you can always see the Waseda University Cheerleading Club members! Please enjoy Waseda's cheering, which is fun not only for the ears but also for the eyes!
Waseda's cheering songs and music
Thank you for waiting!! From here on, I will write about the cheering songs and chants that are expected to be performed during this collaboration!!
The connection between Waseda's cheering and the Lions' cheering
As many of you may know, there is a common point between Waseda's cheering and the Lions' cheering. It is that Waseda's "F1 (the prelude to the Combat March)" and the Lions' attack start theme are almost identical! (Every time this plays at Belluna Dome, my brain glitches and I think, "Am I at Jingu? Is this the Big Six?" lol)
However, the chants are different, so please be careful on the day! (~~ Let's Go x2, and finally Go Go [Player Name]) Personally, I am very much looking forward to hearing the original (?) performance on the day.
Cheering songs and chants likely to be performed on the day
Now, let's get into the introductions!
Basically, I think they will perform many of the songs listed in the video below!!
Also, for songs not appearing here, "VIVA WASEDA" and "Waseda Kenji" are often used in actual cheering as well. If you have time, please refer to the following video as well!
Some of you might think my introduction is a bit sloppy... There is a reason for that.
That is because a fan named Soshimei has written a note that summarizes even the lyrics!!! Those who will be cheering in the outfield seats should try to memorize them to a certain extent. Please make sure to utilize that when doing so!!
Personally, I want you to remember these three: "Konpeki no Sora," "Combat March," and "Daishingeki." If you are short on time, please listen to at least these three songs once!
Konpeki no Sora
Now, I would like to mention just one song! When it comes to Waseda's cheering songs, many people probably think of "Konpeki no Sora." This is not only played during regular cheering, but also used as a scoring theme!
This footage is from the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is different, but usually, when a run is scored, we link arms with the person next to us and sing while savoring the joy of scoring! I pray that we score in the even-numbered innings and can play the scoring Konpeki at Belluna Dome!
In conclusion
Thank you for reading this far!
As a current Waseda student, a Big Six fan, someone who works in a job related to Seibu, and a supporter of the Lions, I am truly, truly happy that this collaboration has come to fruition, and I sincerely hope that the charm of Waseda and the Lions reaches as many people as possible.
University cheering is a unique culture and can often be difficult to understand, but I would be happy if I could convey even a little bit of the atmosphere through this note! And if you become interested in university baseball and university cheering through this collaboration and visit the Big Six, I would be very happy 😭
And and... there are still plenty of tickets left!!!If you are even slightly interested, please buy your tickets so you don't have any regrets. lol
Also, if you have any questions, I am always accepting them via my X account in my profile! Even the smallest things are fine, so please feel free to ask anything.
With that, I will end this note, praying that the day will be a fantastic game! Thank you very much!