More important than the final score are the sounds and sights of a baseball game; the people who contribute to those, from the players to the security guards, the beer hawkers to the fans in the stands, create a collective feeling that feeds the warmth of being at the ballpark. At MotorSuns Stadium, a “corporate slave” finds respite in quietly enjoying the game; a security guard takes his job very seriously, aiding in important duties like caring for lost children; and a beer vendor girl, well, she’s trying to make commission—and maybe grow as a person while she’s at it! They form a sort of family that encourages people to come and cheer on the Chiba MotorSuns night after night, generation after generation. Together, they’ll support the home team and the people that comprise it. Play ball!
Hot on the heels of Major League Baseball’s opening day comes Catch Me at the Ballpark!, a soothing, sweet series that embraces the aspects that make baseball a special sport. But don’t be confused—this isn’t a sport anime; unlike those, which are about friendships and overcoming obstacles, Catch Me at the Ballpark! is more of a slice-of-life or seinen series taking place at a sports stadium and featuring characters connected to the game. Ruriko, who has just started work as a beer vendor, seems to be the character who is most central to the story. She’s a hiyakasudere, or a character that’s playful and a tease (think Nagatoro, but without being at all mean-spirited). She’s joined by Murata the businessman and others in this peaceful little anime. In fact, it was a little too peaceful at first—boring even. The animation is average to substandard, and to be frank, nothing in particular stands out as excellent. However, by the end of the first half, Ruriko’s personality and her chatter with Murata had more or less won me over, and then the second half got to me emotionally—which was a surprise! The writing isn’t particularly sharp, but I was still moved by the second story; I think this is because the series really understands what’s special about baseball, how connected to nostalgia and memory it is. I was reminded of James Earl Jones’ speech near the end of Field of Dreams when he says, “This field, this game—it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.” Catch Me at the Ballpark! is no Field of Dreams, but it’s still a lovely, warm series about a game that evokes such feelings just by being what it is, regardless of score or athleticism or talent. And for those of us who love the game and enjoy seinen and slice-of-life anime, that’ll be enough to keep us coming back to the ballpark.
Catch Me at the Ballpark! is streaming on Crunchyroll.
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