Japan has once again proved the world has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to sporting event entertainment: Tsuyoshi “Big Boss” Shinjo made his managerial debut this week with the Hokaiddo Nippon-Ham Fighters aboard an actual hovercraft.
The hovercraft in question was an Xturismo, made by A.L.I Technologies, and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. The vehicle can fly for 30 to 40 minutes at a time.
The ceremony of sorts was Big Boss’s first regular-season game at home at the Sapporo Dome as the Nippon-Ham Fighter’s manager. Unfortunately, his team lost to the Saitama Seibu Lions 4-0, but this game will be remembered for the pre-game theatrics rather than the result.
If anything, some theatrics make tuning into the Nippon-Ham Fighters season more enticing — who knows what else Big Boss has up his sleeve.