Where can I find the Hanshin Balloons?

Discussion in the Ask the Commish forum

I am taking a stab and hoping that someone might be able to help. I am working for a new AA minor league baseball team in Frisco, Texas (Frisco RoughRiders).

I spent last year in Tokyo and became a big fan of the Hanshin Tigers. One of my favorite memories is releasing the balloons during the seventh inning stretch at Jingu. I have shown a video to the management of the RoughRiders and they think it is great.

We would like to try it for a 4th of July promotion. If we can pull it off, who knows what might happen. Maybe a new tradition here!!! That's what I am hoping.

I have volunteered to try to find where we can get the balloons. I have not had any luck in the States. I am planning to call the Tigers' office, but am concerned because I do not speak Nihongo.

Does anyone have any idea, or have any contacts, who can tell me, as to who is the manufacturer of the balloons is and how I can contact them? We are looking to order about 10,000 of them for the promotion.

I know this is a long shot and I appreciate your time.

Best regards,

Dick Harmon
dick.harmon at verizon dot net
3817 Kelly Blvd.
Carrollton, TX 75007
(972) 306-6032

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Re: Where can I find the Hanshin Balloons?

[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: May 19, 2003 2:03 PM | YBS Fan ]

While on a business trip I took to Osaka a few years ago, I saw a short segment on a morning TV "wide" show about the factory that makes them. I don't remember the name, but it's a tiny little shop with a lot of old looking machinery.

What was most interesting was that they had done a great deal of research and development with the balloons to get one that would last long, fly high, but not travel too far - to prevent too many of them from getting onto the field. Trivia answer: That's what those ridges are for.

Anyway, a quick trip to Hanshin's official on-line shop shows them in packs of four for 200 yen a pack, complete with whistle. Their guide page has a fax number that you might be able to use (many Japanese can read English, but not speak it) to get the supplier's address. I don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a try. (I assume you know to drop the leading zero and prepend the 81 country code.)

Hope this helps.

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Re: Where can I find the Hanshin Balloons?

[ Author: torakichi | Posted: May 19, 2003 4:15 PM | HT Fan ]

As of this year, they have new, more expensive options (that's right folks, "balloon options"!). You can get balloons with the Hanshin Tigers' logo, or pictures of either To-Lucky or Lucky (the HTs mascots, guy and girl respectively).

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Re: Where can I find the Hanshin Balloons?

[ Author: Rokko Oroshi | Posted: May 19, 2003 4:44 PM | HT Fan ]

Thanks Michael.

I have seen the balloons on the Tigers' website. I am planning to call the Tiger shop tomorrow and hopefully I will get someone who speaks English.

It would be great if we can make this happen!! Thanks again for your information and for maintaining such a great website!!!

Dick Harmon (Rokko Oroshi)

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