美津濃（Mizuno）為主要從事鋼鐵、有色金屬及廢棄家電、汽車回收業務的平林金屬股份有限公司的軟式棒球隊主場「HIRAKIN RISE球場」進行了大規模翻新，這是該球場約11年來的首次重大整修。透過此次翻新，美津濃完成了其首座專業軟式棒球場的設計與施工。「HIRAKIN RISE球場」自2001年啟用以來，一直作為小學生軟式棒球賽事的場地，深受在地居民喜愛。如今，它已蛻變為岡山縣首座專業軟式棒球場。
▼專業棒球人造草皮「MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V」
https://sports-facilities.mizuno.jp/service/grass/productlist/baseballturf-v/
「HIRAKIN RISE球場」位於流經岡山縣中部的一級河流「旭川」旁。近年來，由於長期使用導致的劣化及不當維護，人造草皮的草葉和填充物外流，產生了所謂的「微塑膠」細小海洋塑膠垃圾，已成為一大課題。
為應對這些挑戰，本次翻新採用了自2022年起販售、可減輕環境負荷的專業棒球人造草皮「MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V」。此人造草皮的草葉強度較以往產品*1提升約1.7倍，設計上能減少因長期使用造成的草葉斷裂與飛散，有助於減輕環境負荷。在日本，埼玉西武獅隊的主場「Belluna Dome」也採用了此款人造草皮。此外，球場還配置了抑制人造草皮及填充物外流的設備。在打造專業軟式棒球場的同時，也力求兼顧周邊地區生態系的考量。
*1 本公司直立型人造草皮
以本次「HIRAKIN RISE球場」為契機，美津濃將持續推動專業軟式棒球場的整備，以及對環境友善的運動設施建設。
「HIRAKIN RISE球場」的特色
「HIRAKIN RISE球場」是平林金屬股份有限公司軟式棒球隊的主場，座落於被豐富的山林與河流環繞的自然環境中，是一座專業的軟式棒球場。球場外野採用了「MS CRAFT系列」人造草皮，此系列產品不僅在日本國內外職業棒球場廣泛使用，更獲選為環境省為推廣優良環境技術而進行的「環境技術實證（ETV）事業」的實證對象。透過採用此草皮，球場設計兼顧了專業級規格與對自然環境的關懷。
耐久性、形狀恢復性、衝擊吸收性均提升的「MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V」
專業棒球人造草皮「MS CRAFT BASEBALL TURF-V」將草皮厚度從以往產品的280㎛增加至400㎛，顯著提升了耐久性、長期穩定性、衝擊吸收性及視覺景觀。這也對環境
常見問題
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."
