2 Professional baseball team in Tokorozawa

In,1999, a new kind of dome stadium was born. It was named “Seibu Dome”. What was new about it? It was the first dome stadium that has a roof that was built later than the original stadium. It also doesn’t have walls around it. The name of the dome was changed to “Invoice Seibu Dome” on January 25^th, 2005.

“Invoice Seibu Dome” is the home field of Seibu Lions. As you know, Seibu Lions is one of the professional baseball teams in the Pacific League. The team was born in 1979 as “Seibu Lions” in Tokorozawa. Originally, their home field was not a dome stadium. Since the very beginning, the team has been loved by the people in Tokorozawa , especially by the children .There is a supporters’ organization, and many associations belong to it. During the game seasons, cheering flags are displayed in shopping arcades around Tokorozawa.

Also, there are citizen’s special cheering days. Players of Seibu Lions enjoy playing baseball with fans. The team became the league champion in 1982 for the first time. Since then, Seibu Lions has been in the A class in the league for 24 years. It really is a strong team, isn’t it?

The team mascot is “Leo”. It comes from a popular cartoon “Jungle Emperor Leo”. It was drawn by the famous cartoonist, Tezuka Osamu. “Jungle Emperor Leo,” together with “Astro Boy” are Tezuka Osamu's most famous works and have been loved by children for many years.
There is a pavilion where we can learn about the history of Seibu Lions. It is in the third base side of the stadium. We can see a lot of interesting exhibits there. So why don’t you come and see them? And let’s cheer for the Lions! (２９４語)

dome stadium ドーム球場 roof 屋根　 professional プロの　originally もとは

especially 特に　supporters’ organization 後援会（後援団体）　 display 展示する

associations 団体、会社　 shopping arcades 商店街　Tezuka Osamu 手塚治虫

“Jungle Emperor Leo” ジャングル大帝レオ　 “Astro Boy” 鉄腕アトム

pavilion 展示館　exhibit(s) 展示品

所沢市の中学生雄佑（Yusuke）は、カナダからの留学生メグ（Meg）と一緒に西武ドームに野球の試合を観に来ました。
Meg:	What a nice stadium! There are beautiful cherry blossoms all around the dome.
	We can enjoy baseball games and cherry blossoms at the same time.
Yusuke:	Yes, this dome is surrounded by a rich natural environment；the Sayama hills.
Meg :	I love this dome stadium.
Yusuke:	This stadium was built in 1979. But originally it was not a dome stadium.
Meg :	Really?
Yusuke:	Yes. The roof was built later in 1999.
	And look! This is the first dome that doesn’t have walls around it.
Meg :	Yeah. Even though it’s a dome, we can feel the natural wind and fresh air.
Yusuke:	That’s right. They don’t even need an air conditioning system.
Meg :	I’ve never been to a dome stadium in Canada ! Is it only used for baseball
	games?
Yusuke:	No, it is used for many things: concerts, flea markets, amateur baseball games,
	and more!
Meg :	That’s cool. By the way, what else is there to see around this stadium?
Yusuke:	There’s a tennis dome court, a dinosaur museum called “ UNESCO Village ”,
	an indoor ski resort, Lake Sayama, an amusement park called “Seibu-en”,
	a golf course and a lot more.
Meg:	Wow, I’m interested in seeing the dinosaur museum.
Yusuke:	How about going there this weekend, Meg?
Meg:	That sounds great! I’m looking forward to it!

is surrounded by ～に囲まれている　a rich natural environment 豊かな自然環境　

the Sayama hills 狭山丘陵　 originally もとは　 roof 屋根　

air conditioning system エアコン設備

flea markets フリーマーケット　 amateur アマチュアの

　“dinosaur museum called UNESCO Village” 「ユネスコ村」という名の恐竜博物館

　amusement park 遊園地