Professional baseball, Nippon Ham, practiced for the first time on the 1st at the new home stadium Escon Field Hokkaido, which will open this month, and the players confirmed the difference in the playing environment such as the ground.
Nippon Ham's new baseball stadium, which was built in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido, has a movable roof to cope with bad weather, and a glass wall with a height of about 70 meters rises on the outer wall on the center side. , is modern with natural light.
In addition, the ground is covered with natural grass, and varieties that are resistant to cold climates are used.
The Nippon-Ham players practiced for the first time at the new stadium on the 1st, and when they came out on the ground, they touched the natural turf with their hands, confirming the new playing environment. stood in the batter's box and watched the scenery.
Pitcher Takayuki Kato, who has been nominated as the opening pitcher, was checking the feeling of the mound by pitching.
In addition, coach Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who won the Golden Glove Award 10 times as an outfielder during his playing days, carefully checked the outfield fences.
After that, the outfielders practiced how to deal with the cushion ball, and the players showed a fulfilled expression while confirming the playing environment of the new stadium.
At Esconfield Hokkaido, the opening match will be held as the first match on the 14th of this month, and the opening match with Rakuten will be held on the 30th of this month.
Manager Shinjo said about the new stadium, "If this stadium wasn't built, I wouldn't be the manager, and I felt that this stadium would only suit me. I want to return the favor," he said.