A meeting of representatives of 12 baseball teams to be held on the 14th of this month was pointed out that the size of the ground of the new Nippon-Ham baseball stadium, which is scheduled to open in March next year, does not meet the standards of "official baseball rules". However, it is expected that the response will be discussed.

According to Nippon Ham's new stadium management company, the stadium being built in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido, has completed about 95% of the overall construction for opening in March next year, but it will be opened on the 7th. It is said that the size of the ground was pointed out in the executive committee of 12 teams.



Specifically, the Official Baseball Regulations stipulate that the distance from the home plate to the fence on the back net side must be at least 60 feet and 18.288 meters. It is pointed out that the distance is about 15 meters and does not meet the criteria.



In response to the indication, Nippon-Ham is considering a response, and according to people involved, it is expected that the response will be discussed at the 12 team representatives' meeting to be held on the 14th of this month.



Until now, the operating company has pointed out that one of the features of the new stadium is that the audience seats are close to the ground.

Director Shinjo "The team will work hard to respond"

When it was pointed out that the size of the ground at Nippon-Ham's new stadium did not meet the standards of the ``official baseball rules'', manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo responded to the interview with the press, saying, ``Now, the team is working hard to respond. The only thing I can say is that the stadium was built with the feeling that it will be most appreciated by Fighters fans, baseball fans, and fans who are visiting the new stadium for the first time. The feeling of wanting to do it became that building."

Discretion between Japan and the U.S. in rules of expression

According to the "Official Baseball Regulations" that stipulate the rules of baseball in Japan, the distance from the home plate to facilities such as fences and stands on the back net side that hinder play is "60 feet, 18.288 feet. Requires meters or more."



Most of these "authorized baseball rules" have the same content as the Japanese version of the baseball rules of the major leagues, and most of these rules are the same.



However, regarding the distance, it is written that "recommended to be 60 feet or more", which is different from the Japanese regulation that says "required".



In fact, some major league ballparks are less than the recommended distance of 60 feet.



The Rangers' ballpark "Globe Life Field" in Arlington, Texas is the latest ballpark that opened two years ago, and the distance from the home plate to the fence on the backnet side is 42 feet, which is about 13 meters.



The distance was shorter than recommended at the club's discretion, as it was designed after the jersey number "42" to honor Jackie Robinson, who was the first black player to play in the major leagues. I'm here.



The major American architectural firm that designed the Rangers stadium is also designing the new Nippon-Ham stadium. increase.

Baseball stadiums home to 12 domestic teams meet the standards

The distance from the home plate of the 12 baseball teams' home stadiums to the fences on the back net side all meet the standard of 60 feet, 18.288 meters or more in the "official baseball rules".



It is the home of the Central League.


▽Jingu Stadium is 18.98 meters,


Yokohama Stadium is 20 meters


, Koshien Stadium is 18.3 meters


, Tokyo Dome is 18.288 meters


, Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima City is 18.288 meters


, and Vantelin Dome Nagoya is 18.3 meters.



It is the home of the Pacific League.


▽Fukuoka City's PayPay Dome is 18.3 meters


, Saitama Prefecture's Belluna Dome is 18.35 meters


, Chiba City's ZOZO Marine Stadium is 18.94 meters


, and Sapporo Dome is 24.5 meters.



On the other hand, the distances


between ▽ Kyocera Dome Osaka and


▽ Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi are


not disclosed, but they say that they meet the standards of the official baseball rules.