Photo/Illutration Hanshin Tigers fans celebrate on the Ebisubashi bridge in central Osaka after their team clinched the Central League pennant. (Tatsuo Kanai)

OSAKA--Police will be out in force if there is even a slight chance of the Hanshin Tigers winning the Japan Series.

That’s because boisterous fans of the home team have a tradition of making a celebratory leap into the Dotonbori river, which runs through the city’s bustling Minami entertainment district.

The only time the Tigers won the baseball series was in 1985.

This year’s series got under way Oct. 28 between the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes, two teams based in the Kansai region.

About 1,300 police officers will be posted around the Dotonbori river in central Osaka if there is any sign that things could get out of hand.

Tigers fans have been known to take celebratory leaps into the river on the rare occasions the team has captured the Central League pennant. The last time the team did so was in 2005.

Osaka police officials said they are toying with several ideas as the climax to the Japan Series approaches.

To prevent leaping into the river, posters will be put up along bridges that have a clear view of the Ebisubashi bridge, the main jumping off point. Some pedestrian paths along the Dotonbori river will be closed off.

So-called DJ police, who try to communicate with crowds in a humorous manner to maintain a positive environment, will be posted at five locations to keep pedestrians moving and prevent a stampede.

Police are weighing a three-step process to control crowds on the Ebisubashi bridge which attracts the most people. Depending on how crowded the bridge becomes, police will give directions to walk on the left side to cross the bridge; allow only one-way movement on the bridge in a south-north direction; or close off the south side of the bridge.

The winner of the Japan Series could be determined as early as Nov. 1. Osaka prefectural police will also be busy between Oct. 28 and 31 handling Halloween crowds as well as a Group of Seven meeting of trade ministers.

“It is difficult for police officers to take time off, but we want to prevent accidents by setting up a sufficient patrol structure that can deal with anything,” said a high-ranking police official. 

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