TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Poor turf conditions at Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium forced the Rakuten Monkeys to reschedule matches on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 16–17) to away games against the Uni-Lions in Tainan.
Water accumulated in the outfield, which had become soft and muddy, especially in the left field. Drainage improvements were completed on Friday (April 12), and the field is gradually recovering, according to Taoyuan City Government Sports Bureau.
Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium began a large-scale facility improvement project last year, but renovation was not completed before the start of the new baseball season. Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) officials visited the field on April 8, per UDN.
The home games at the stadium this week have been relocated to Tainan. Taoyuan City officials said the rotten turf had blocked the drainage system and caused rainfall to accumulate on the field.
Major changes will be made to the outfield, with the sand layer adjusted and grass replanted. Increasing the rate of fertilization and the addition of growth hormone have yielded good turf results.
Taoyuan baseball fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the delays. The sports bureau is optimistic that play will soon resume at the stadium.