TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Drainage and turf improvement work at Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium has passed inspection clearing the way for the Rakuten Monkeys to return to their home field for games starting on Friday (April 26).

Since the start of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) season in April, the Rakuten Monkeys have scheduled their “home” games elsewhere. Schedule changes were necessary due to poor drainage and turf conditions at their home field.

The delayed opening of the stadium has been a disappointment to many as major improvements were initiated at the end of 2023 and fell behind schedule. Besides improving the playing surface, changes included replacing seating in the outfield with a red color consistent with the team’s colors, per CNA. 

When CPBL officials conducted an inspection of the field on April 18, they found outfield playing surface conditions had improved, clearing the way for an exhibition game on April 21, involving Kainan University and a team comprised of Rakuten Monkeys and Taoyuan Aerotropolis. 

Following the game, the CPBL convened a meeting to solicit comments regarding playing conditions from coaches and players. There was a general consensus that the playing surface was satisfactory and consistent with other CPBL stadiums, and only slight lighting adjustments were needed.

This led to a joint decision by the CPBL, Taoyuan City Government Sports Bureau, and the Taiwan Professional Baseball Players Association to approve the stadium for play. The first game of the year at Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium will pit the TSG Hawks against the Rakuten Monkeys for a three-game series beginning on Friday (April 26).