Hirakin Rise Stadium: Mizuno Renovates Hirakin Kinzoku's Home Ground into Japan's First Dedicated Softball Stadium
Mizuno has renovated Hirakin Kinzoku's "HIRAKIN Rise Stadium," completing it as the first dedicated softball stadium.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 04:11 (389h 15m after Collected)
Mizuno has carried out a large-scale renovation, the first in approximately 11 years, at "HIRAKIN Rise Stadium," the home ground of Hirakin Kinzoku Co., Ltd.'s softball team, a company primarily engaged in the recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, used home appliances, and automobiles. With this renovation, Mizuno has completed the design and construction of its first dedicated softball stadium. Since its opening in 2001, "HIRAKIN Rise Stadium" has been used as a venue for elementary school softball tournaments and has been a community-rooted stadium. It has now been reborn as the first dedicated softball stadium in Okayama Prefecture.
▼Dedicated Baseball Artificial Turf "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V"
https://sports-facilities.mizuno.jp/service/grass/productlist/baseballturf-v/
"HIRAKIN Rise Stadium" is located next to the Asahi River, a first-class river flowing through the central part of Okayama Prefecture. In recent years, artificial turf blades have become a problem, with microplastics, which are fine marine plastic waste, being generated due to the deterioration from long-term use and improper maintenance, causing artificial turf blades and infill material to flow out of the facility.
To address these issues, this renovation adopted the dedicated baseball artificial turf "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V" (Mizuno Craft Baseball Turf V), which has been on sale since 2022 and can reduce environmental impact. This artificial turf has a grass blade strength approximately 1.7 times higher than conventional products*1, and is designed to reduce environmental impact by reducing the tearing and scattering of grass blades due to long-term use. This is the same artificial turf used at the "Belluna Dome," the home stadium of the Saitama Seibu Lions, in Japan. Furthermore, facilities have been installed to prevent the outflow of artificial turf and infill material. While aiming for a full-fledged dedicated softball stadium, we strived to create a space that considers the ecosystem of the surrounding area.
*1 Our straight-pile artificial turf
With "HIRAKIN Rise Stadium" as a catalyst, we will promote the development of dedicated softball stadiums and the creation of environmentally conscious sports facilities.
Features of "HIRAKIN Rise Stadium"
"HIRAKIN Rise Stadium" is a dedicated softball stadium surrounded by rich nature, including mountains and rivers, serving as the home ground for Hirakin Kinzoku Co., Ltd.'s softball team. The outfield of the stadium uses artificial turf from the "MS CRAFT series," which is also used in professional baseball stadiums both domestically and internationally and has been adopted as a demonstration target for the "Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program" promoted by the Ministry of the Environment to disseminate excellent environmental technologies. This aims for a facility design that balances full-scale stadium specifications with consideration for the natural environment.
■ "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V" with improved durability, shape retention, and shock absorption
The dedicated baseball artificial turf "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V" has improved durability, long-term stability, shock absorption, and appearance by increasing the pile thickness from 280㎛ in conventional products to 400㎛. This contributes to the environment
FAQ
What is HIRAKIN Rise Stadium?
HIRAKIN Rise Stadium is the home ground for Hirakin Kinzoku Co., Ltd.'s softball team, located in Okayama Prefecture. It has recently undergone a major renovation by Mizuno, becoming the first dedicated softball stadium in the prefecture and in Japan for Mizuno.
What is the significance of the renovation?
The renovation transformed the stadium into Japan's first dedicated softball stadium designed and constructed by Mizuno. It also incorporates advanced, environmentally friendly artificial turf to address issues like microplastic pollution.
What type of artificial turf is used?
The stadium uses Mizuno's "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V," a dedicated baseball artificial turf designed to reduce environmental impact. It features enhanced durability, shape retention, and shock absorption, and is designed to minimize the scattering of turf blades and infill material.
What are the environmental benefits of the new turf?
The "MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V" has stronger grass blades (approx. 1.7 times stronger than conventional products), reducing tearing and scattering. This helps prevent the outflow of artificial turf components, thereby mitigating the generation of microplastics and reducing environmental load. Facilities are also installed to further suppress outflow.
Where else is this artificial turf used?
This type of artificial turf is also used at the "Belluna Dome," the home stadium of the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan, and has been recognized under the Ministry of the Environment's "Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program."