Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi

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Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi
楽天生命パーク宮城
Rakuten Seimei Park
Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi logo.jpg
Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi (2019) cropped.jpg
Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi in 2019
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Former namesMiyagi Baseball Stadium (1950–2005)
Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (2005–2007)
Kleenex Stadium Miyagi (2008–2010)
Nippon Paper Kleenex Stadium Miyagi (2011–2013)
Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi (2014–2016)
Kobo Park Miyagi (2017–2022)
Address2-11-6 Miyagino, Miyagino-ku[1]
LocationSendai, Miyagi, Japan
Coordinates38°15′22.34″N 140°54′9″E / 38.2562056°N 140.90250°E / 38.2562056; 140.90250Coordinates: 38°15′22.34″N 140°54′9″E / 38.2562056°N 140.90250°E / 38.2562056; 140.90250
Public transitJR logo (east).svg JR East:
Senseki Line at Miyaginohara
Tōhoku Shinkansen at Sendai
Sendai City Subway Logo.png Sendai Subway:
Tōzai Line at Yakushido
Namboku Line at Sendai
OwnerMiyagi Prefecture
OperatorRakuten Baseball, Inc.
Capacity30,508
Field sizeLeft/right field – 100.1 m (328 ft)
Left/right-center – 116 m (381 ft)
Center field – 122 m (400 ft) Miyagi Stadium Dimensions.svg
SurfaceGrass
Construction
OpenedMay 5, 1950 (first game)
May 27, 1950 (constuction completed)
Renovated1973, 1984, 2004–2019
Tenants
Lotte Orions (NPB) (1973–1977)
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (NPB) (2005–present)

The Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi (楽天生命パーク宮城, Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi) (official name: Miyagi Baseball Stadium) is a stadium in Sendai, Japan. It is primarily used for baseball as the home field of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.[2] It opened in 1950. In order to modernize the facility for the Golden Eagles' first season (2005), seating was reduced from approximately 28,600 to about 20,000, as more-spacious seating was installed. For the 2006 season, about 3,000 seats (including private boxes along the first-base side) were added, increasing capacity to about 23,000.

From January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, the stadium's official name was the Kleenex Stadium Miyagi (クリネックススタジアム宮城, Kurinekkusu Sutajiamu Miyagi), and abbreviated as K-Sta Miyagi (Kスタ宮城). The stadium was also formerly known as Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (フルキャストスタジアム宮城, Furukyasuto Sutajiamu Miyagi) between 2005 and 2007.

Unlike most stadiums, the home team uses the dugout along the third base line. Each team's bullpen is located beneath the stands behind the dugout areas, out of view of the spectators in the stadium; however, curtained windows outside allow passerby to watch the pitchers warming up.

Concession stands are located outside the stadium, and on the second and third levels in the area behind home plate.

The stadium has hosted two NPB All-Star games in 2007 and 2011.

History[]

Prior to the , Hyojogawara Stadium in Sendai hosted various countryside Japanese Baseball League games beginning in 1948.[3] However, in October 1949, Miyagi Prefecture began redeveloping a nearby former Imperial Japanese Army training ground into Miyaginohara Sports Park, which would include a new baseball stadium and a general athletic stadium.[4][5] The 28,000-capacity baseball stadium opened in 1950 and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) games were played there instead starting that same year.[6][7] The newly-built Miyagi Stadium hosted its first two official Pacific League (PL) games on May 5, three weeks before its completion on May 27. The games featured the Mainichi Orions playing the Nankai Hawks and the Daiei Stars and proved to be extremely popular. Spectators began arriving to the stadium the night before and thousands of fans had gathered by morning. In an attempt to quickly disperse the restless crowd, organizers moved the gate opening ahead from 10 am to 8 am.[5] The crowd rushed into the stadium's entrance tunnel resulting in a crush that killed three people and injured others. Outside the stadium, the overflow crowd also began climbing a fence in an attempt to gain entry. The fence collapsed, injuring 31 people, twelve seriously.[8]

As a local ballpark, Miyagi Stadium hosted only about two professional countryside games per season, on average.[1][6] In the spring of 1972, former baseball scout Isao Uko lobbied for the installation of lights at Miyagi Stadium to allow for night games. He believed that the lights could help attract up to 30 professional games to the stadium annually. With investments from businesses in the Tōhoku region such as the Kahoku Shimpō, Tohoku Baseball Company was created to help fund the project.[9] Six 32-metre-tall light towers were installed along with a partially electric scoreboard before the start of the 1973 season.[9][10]

Semi-home of "Gypsy" Lotte[]

Miyagi Stadium's lights and scoreboard in 2004

At the same time lights were being installed at Miyagi Stadium, Tokyo Stadium was getting ready to close following the 1972 season. This closure left the Lotte Orions without a home field next season.[9] Miyagi's new lighting equipment helped lure the Orions to Sendai and the team agreed to play a portion of its games there in 1973.[9] Lotte's first game at the ballpark on May 22, 1973, was also the stadium and the Tōhoku region's first night game.[11][9] The ballpark hosted 32 NPB games that season, including 26 Lotte games.[9] That year, Orions pitcher threw the stadium's first perfect game on October 10 against the Taiheiyo Club Lions.[12]

After utilizing Miyagi Stadium as a semi-home in 1973, the Pacific League and Lotte agreed to move the team's protected area from Tokyo to Miyagi for following the season.[13] NPB opened a season in Tōhoku for the first time with a Lotte game in Miyagi Stadium on April 6, 1974.[14] Contrary to local expectations, however, the Lotte Orions only considered Sendai to be a temporary home until a new one could be found.[6] Despite officially moving the team, the Orions continued to play only about half of their home games there with the other half being split among other stadiums primarily in the Kantō region.[15] Furthermore, the team's offices remained in Tokyo and the players continued to reside in the Tokyo metropolitan area.[6] The unusual home field situation led the Orions to be known as a "gypsy" team.[15] After the Orions won the second half of the season in 1974, Miyagi Stadium hosted its first postseason games in that year's .[15] Lotte won the series and advanced to the Japan Series, however these games were not held in Sendai. Instead, because of Miyagi Stadium's relatively small capacity, their home games were held at Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo. After winning the series, Lotte held their victory parade in Tokyo as well.[16]

Local Sendai fans were disappointed with the team's attitude toward the city. Lotte's attendance, which had been the highest in the Pacific League in 1973, dropped to second place the following season.[6] After five years playing in Sendai, it was announced on October 4, 1977, that the team would relocate to Kawasaki Stadium in Kanagawa Prefecture the next season. That night, the Orions fought for a playoff spot during their last regular season game. When they lost the lead in the ninth inning, fans threw cans and bottles onto the field which required the game to be temporarily suspended. Lotte manager Masaichi Kaneda appealed to the crowd on the public address system to let the players finish the game explaining that they were trying their best.[16] Despite the loss, the Orions advanced to the and again played their games at Miyagi, however this time they failed to advance to the Japan Series.[citation needed]

Immediately after relocating to Kawasaki, Lotte continued to hold approximately 10 countryside games annually at Miyagi Stadium.[6] In 1978, Hankyu Braves pitcher threw the second and last perfect game at the stadium against the Orions.[12] However, the number of games the team held there decreased drastically after they moved to Chiba in 1992. Miyagi Stadium stopped hosting Lotte games altogether after 2004.[6] In addition to collaborating with Lotte, Tohoku Baseball Company also worked with the other Pacific League teams as well as some Central League teams to host countryside games at the stadium.[17] An All-Star game was held in Miyagi Stadium for the first time when in 1992 when it hosted the third game in the . It was the first time the event was held in a countryside stadium.[18] In addition to holding some NPB events, the stadium also continued to host local amateur baseball games.[8]

Dedicated Rakuten home[]

During the 2004 NPB realignment, the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes merged with the Orix BlueWave, leaving the PL with five teams instead of six for the 2005 season[19] In the wake of the loss, two Internet service companies, Rakuten and Livedoor, applied to start new teams, however NPB representatives maintained that the 2006 season would be the earliest a new team could enter the league. The players wanted any new teams ready for the next season and when no agreement was reached the players staged a two-day strike on September 18–19.[20] With the strike set to continue the following weekend, team representatives eased the rules of entry for new teams into the professional leagues and that one would be allowed to join the following season.[21] Both Rakuten and Livedoor's team plans included basing the team out of Miyagi Stadium in Sendai.[22] On November 2, NPB selected Rakuten over Livedoor to create a new Pacific League team to be based in Sendai.[23] After being chosen, Miyagi Prefecture and Rakuten agreed on lease agreement that would allow the team to play in the prefecture's stadium for a modest ¥50 million per year. Furthermore, the team was allowed to manage the facility, giving them access to all revenue collected from the sale of all advertising, goods, and concessions within Miyagi Stadium. In exchange, Rakuten agreed to pay for the costs of renovating the stadium.[24]

After moving to Sendai, Rakuten renovated Miyagi Stadium in several phases, drastically changing the ballpark.[25] In 2007, for the first time in fifteen years and since becoming the permanent home of an NPB team, a game in the was played at the stadium.[26] Two seasons later, it hosted its first Climax Series when the Eagles qualified for the 2009 postseason for the first time.[27] Two weeks before the start of the 2011 season, the Tōhoku region was struck by the largest earthquake in Japan's history. The quake and the subsequent tsunami devastated the region, including the city of Sendai.[28] Following the event, 47 areas of Miyagi Stadium were identified as needing repairs, with its lighting towers sustaining the most damage.[29] While the stadium was being repaired, the Eagles played their home games at Koshien Stadium and Hotto Motto Field.[30] Baseball returned to Sendai on April 29, when the Eagles played their first game at their home field. An opening ceremony attended by the governor of Miyagi Prefecture Yoshihiro Murai and United States Ambassador John Roos was held before the game.[31] After the disaster, NPB decided to move the final game of the from Tokyo Dome to Kleenex Stadium, the second time the Eagles hosted the event in four years.[32]

A temporary seating section in left field in 2015

Mid-season in 2013, the Eagles were in first place in the Pacific League and selling out games played at Miyagi Stadium.[33] Rakuten erected temporary seating along the third-base line and on the left field lawn to help meet fan demand, increasing the ballpark's capacity from 23,466 to 25,651.[34] The seats opened to fans that September. For years, however, NPB had been pushing Rakuten to increase the stadium's capacity to at least 28,000, especially if the stadium needed to Japan Series games.[33]

Rakuten renovations[]

Miyagi Stadium during the partial renovation of its stands in 1984

Miyagi Stadium is the third-oldest of twelve NPB stadiums and the oldest in the Pacific League.[8] Other than the addition of lights in 1973, the stadium's only other significant renovation was the reconstruction of the stands directly behind home plate to include individual seats in 1984. By 2004, the 54-year-old ballpark still featured simple bench seating down the first and third baselines, and the outfield section was a lawn with no formal seating. The playing field had a dirt infield and short distances down the right and left field foul lines to the outfield wall. The outfield scoreboard installed for the 1973 season had electric lights for the inning-by-inning line score, but lineups were displayed via old-fashioned panels with players’ names painted on them.[15] Renovations to the aging facility were an important part of the selection process when NPB was in talks with Livedoor and Rakuten to form new teams to be based in Miyagi Stadium. Prior to the selection hearings, professional baseball sent the selection subcommittee to the stadium to assess its state.[35] During the hearings, the two applicants discussed their plans to renovate the infield seating, add outfield seating, increase capacity, upgrade concessions, replace the scoreboard, and extend the foul lines, among other topics.[36] At this time, general contractors Takenaka Corporation and Kajima had also put together proposals to convert Miyagi Stadium into a domed facility costing ¥23.5 billion and ¥10 billion, respectively.[37]

Upon being selected as the new NPB team in November 2004, Rakuten president Hiroshi Mikitani traveled to Miyagi Stadium to sign a basic agreement with Shiro Asano, governor of Miyagi Prefecture, officially securing the ballpark as the Eagles' home field. There, he revealed the redevelopment details alongside an artist's rendition of the stadium post-renovation. Rakuten initially planned to spend approximately ¥3 billion to modernize the stadium in two phases. The first phase would bring the ballpark's seating capacity to 23,000 by the following spring and phase two would increase the capacity to 28,000 by the spring of 2006. Extra seating would be placed in foul territory to bring fans closer to the field and box and VIP seating would be added. Additionally, the first- and third-base foul lines would be extended from 91.4 meters to 99.7 meters, a large screen would be installed along with an electronic scoreboard, and the field would possibly be replaced with artificial turf. Mikitani compared the stadium's new plan to that of a Major League Baseball stadium.[38]

Modernization (2004–2011)[]

Interior comparison
Post-phase one, 2005
Post-phase two, 2006

The first phase of Rakuten's renovation of Miyagi Stadium was completed entirely during the 2004–2005 offseason. Kajima Corporation was hired for the project and demolition started in December, 2004.[39] In the first week of the project, the infield seats were removed and the handwritten scoreboard was demolished. The scoreboard was replaced by a fully electric one before the start of the season.[40] In addition to replacing all of the infield seats, new seating sections were also constructed. In the infield, two sections that cut into foul territory down the first and third baselines were added. Additionally, an area was dug out behind the backstop and seats were installed to allow for spectators to view the game from a lower perspective. Since the stadium only had lawn seating in the outfield prior to the renovation, new permanent seating needed to be built. On the far left- and right-sides of the outfield, two new sections were constructed, while grass seating was maintained on either side of the new scoreboard.[39] Beyond the left field seating, an 8 metre (26 ft) high mound dubbed "Rakuten Mountain" was created using leftover dirt excavated during construction.[39][41] The sloped hill connected the area behind the stadium to the grass seating area in left field.[41]

Exterior comparison
Post-phase one, 2005
Post-phase two, 2006
The front of the stadium was expanded in two phases.

Around the front of the stadium, a large, concrete frame was constructed that expanded the concourses, allowing for restrooms and shops to be upgraded and added. In addition to stadium infrastructure, baseball facilities and amenities were also modified. The baseball field's outfield wings were extended from 91.4 to 101.5 metres (300 to 333 ft), the largest in NPB at the time,[39] and it's natural turf was replaced with artificial FieldTurf.[42] A facility housing the pitchers' bullpens was added on the outside of the stadium along its third base side, allowing fans to watch players warm up.[39] Construction concluded on March 20 and the Eagles held their first game at the stadium on April 1, 2005.[39][42]

Work on the second phase of the project started the following offseason in October 2005. The concrete frame constructed around the front of the stadium during the first phase was expanded upon and completed, resulting in a five-story structure that contained a food court, box seats, the TV and radio booth, the press box, and a premium lounge. Additional infield seating was added via a new section erected atop the building that houses the bullpens on the third base side and box seats and an enclosed lounge built along the first base side. Four other adjoining buildings were built adjacent to the stadium on the first base side. These facilities housed the team's offices and clubhouse, two indoor practice areas, and a parking garage.[43]

Prior to the 2007 season, a ribbon display was added to the backstop. More ribbons were added the following season to the outfield seating area and the right field lawn section was converted to a group seating area that provided tables for groups up to five people.[44] Upgrades continued in 2009 and 2010 when the sunken backstop seats were enclosed to help create the new "Prestige" section,[45] and a large, 336.8 m2 video screen was installed in right field, respectively.[46] Renovation plans were halted in 2011 when repairing the damage caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake took precedent.[47]

Ball park concept and seating expansion (2012–2018)[]

Following the 2012 season, Rakuten continued its redevelopment of Miyagi Stadium and again focused on implementing their "ball park concept".[47] The concept aimed to further expand seating and entertainment options, changing it from a symmetrical, Japanese-style ball park to a facility that more closely resembles an MLB stadium.[47][6] The box seats along the first base side were expanded farther toward the outfield and included a party deck. The bigger change came, however, with the addition of the new E-Wing seating sections. These two sections were built in right- and left-center fields protruding from the existing outfield seating.[48] The construction of these seats changed the shape of the outfield and decreased the distances to the wall; both distances down the first and third baselines were reduced from 101.5 to 100.1 metres (333 to 328 ft), and middle left and right fields were shortened from 117 to 116 metres (384 to 381 ft), effectively creating a "lucky zone", the term used to describe moving an outfield wall to make hitting home runs easier.[49] Along with the E-Wings, a new outfield wall was also constructed. This wall was shorter than the previous (2.8 to 2.5 metres (9.2 to 8.2 ft)) and featured padding for outfielder players.[47]

With these new additions, Miyagi Stadium's seating capacity at the start of the 2013 season was 23,451.[47] In 2004, Rakuten had planned to increase the stadium's seating capacity to 28,000 after the completion of phase two in early 2006.[38] The team became cautious about rapidly expanding, however, due to the stadium's location in Miyaginohara Park and Sendai's relatively small market with a population of one million people. Traditionally, All-Star and Japan Series games had not been held in stadiums with capacities lower than 30,000, and expansion plans were discussed when both All-Star games were played in Miyagi Stadium.[6]

Naming rights[]

Miyagi Stadium's name had remained unchanged since it opened in 1950. However, before the start of Rakuten's first season in Miyagi Stadium, the team and the prefecture agreed to sell the naming rights to the stadium to help pay for team management costs. The agreement stipulated that the rights would be renegotiated every three years and the money from the each contract would be split between the team and the prefecture at a three-to-one ratio, respectively. Additionally, any new stadium name must include the word "Miyagi".[50] The first contract was awarded to the only bidder, staffing firm Fullcast, and in early 2005, the ballpark's name was changed to "Fullcast Stadium Miyagi" for ¥600 million.[51][52] However, in August 2007, the Tokyo Labor Bureau ordered Fullcast to suspend operations after it found that the company had violated labor law. After this incident, Fullcast's contract was terminated several months early, and its name was removed from the ballpark.[53]

Nippon Paper Industries' Kleenex branding atop the scoreboard in 2010

After Fullcast's contract was cancelled in 2007, Miyagi Prefecture began soliciting applications for a new naming sponsor that same year.[54] Nippon Paper Industries committed to a ¥750 million contract to rename Miyagi Stadium "Nippon Paper Kleenex Stadium Miyagi" beginning on January 1, 2008.[55] However, just before the start of the season, it was revealed that Nippon Paper had misled the public about how much recycled paper was being used in their products.[56] In the wake of the news, the contract wasn't terminated, however, it was agreed that the company's name would be dropped from the stadium leaving "Kleenex Stadium Miyagi".[56][57] Near the end of the three-year contract period, all parties agreed to renew for another three years, however the price of the naming rights was lowered to ¥600 million. The company's name was also added back into the stadium's official name, making it "Nippon Paper Kleenex Stadium Miyagi".[58]

In 2013, Nippon Paper decided not to renew its contract to purchase Miyagi Stadium's naming rights for a third time. Two companies applied after the prefecture opened applications, and Rakuten, the baseball team's parent company, was awarded the contract for ¥603 million.[59] The ballpark was named "Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi" from 2014 through 2016 to promote the company's ebook and e-reader subsidiary, Kobo Inc.[60][61] When Rakuten renewed the contract at the end of 2016, the name was modified slightly to "Kobo Park Miyagi". The word "park" was inserted into the stadium's name to help convey the team's new "ball park concept" that promoted the facility as not only a place to watch a baseball game, but also as an entertainment destination for people of all ages.[62] One year later and in the middle of the contract, Rakuten again changed the stadium's name, the third time in five years. The new name, "Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi", was chosen to raise the profile of Rakuten's life insurance business.[56] After this, fans became frustrated with the frequency of the changes.[56][63] The stadium's name has remained the same since 2018. Rakuten renewed their contract a third time at the end of 2019 for the same amount as the previous contracts, ¥603 million. The current deal lasts through 2022.[64]

Accessibility and transportation[]

Miyaginohara Station on the Senseki Line is the closest train station to Rakuten Seimei Park.

Miyaginohara Station on JR East's Senseki Line is the closest train station to Rakuten Seimei Park. Nicknamed "baseball station", it was repainted crimson red in 2005 to celebrate the founding of the team. Additionally, atop the station's entrance sits a large Eagles helmet, it features images of the team's mascots, and trains play a clip from the team's song "Habatake Rakuten Eagles" as their departure melody.[65] Tsutsujigaoka Station, the next station west of Miyaginohara on the Senseki Line, also brings passengers to within walking distance of the stadium. Sendai Subway's Tōzai Line can also be used to get to Miyagi Stadium, with the line's Yakushido and Rembo Stations both bringing passengers to within a fifteen minute walk.[66] For fans arriving to Sendai Station via various lines, including the Sendai Subway Namboku Line, the Shinkansen, or the Sendai Airport Line, Rakuten operates a shuttle bus to and from the stadium from the station's east exit bus stop platform 76.[67]

In addition to rail service, several bus options also provide transportation to the stadium. Locally, Rakuten Seimei Park is served by routes 230, 233, and 308. Some intercity bus routes operated by JR Bus Tōhoku, , and Fukushima Transportation throughout the Tōhoku region also provide direct-to-stadium options on game days.[68] For fans not using public transportation, the stadium is accessible by car via the Tōhoku Expressway (E4) on the west and Sendai-Tōbu Road (E6) on the east.[69] The stadium has an on-site and an off-site parking lot as well as on-site parking for bikes and motorcycles.[69][70]

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  34. ^ "日本製紙クリネックススタジアム宮城「増席計画のお知らせ」" [Nippon Paper Industries Kleenex Stadium Miyagi "Announcement of plans to increase seating"] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. August 12, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  35. ^ "ライブドアと楽天、６日に公開ヒアリング" [Livedoor and Rakuten, public hearing on the 6th]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 5, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "球団経営の熱意互角　プロ野球参入ヒアリング" [Evenly matched enthusiasm for baseball team management / Hearing on entry into professional baseball]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 7, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  37. ^ "新球団にらみ「皮算用」開幕　ドーム球場、牛タン弁当も" [Start of a new baseball team season "calculating" / Dome stadium, beef tongue bento box]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 13, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b "楽天、宮城球場改修計画を発表　「大リーグみたいに」" [Rakuten Announces Plans to Renovate Miyagi Stadium 'Just Like Big League Baseball']. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). November 3, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "フルキャストスタジアム宮城へ行こう" [Let's go to Fullcast Stadium Miyagi] (in Japanese). Kajima Corporation. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  40. ^ "手書きスコアボード解体　楽天参入へ宮城球場の改修進む" [Handwritten scoreboard dismantled, Miyagi Stadium's renovation proceeds for Rakuten's entry]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). December 6, 2004. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b クリネックススタジアム宮城 [Kleenex Stadium Miyagi] (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). Japan Federation of Construction Contractors. June 5, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b Gallagher, Jack (April 6, 2005). "Triumph in Tohoku: Staff of Eagles works miracle". The Japan Times. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  43. ^ "（仮称）宮城球場改修（第2期）工事" [(Tentative name) Miyagi Stadium Renovation (Phase 2) Construction] (in Japanese). Kajima Corporation. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  44. ^ "Kスタ宮城、無料開放＆パブリックビューイング！3月20日(木・祝)、22日(土)、23日(日)パ・リーグ開幕3連戦「プレオープンデー」開催！" [K-STA Miyagi will be open to the public free of charge on March 20 (Thu), 22 (Sat), and 23 (Sun), opening day of the Pacific League season!] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. March 11, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  45. ^ "これまでにない最高級の観戦空間！専用バーラウンジなど、充実のサービス「ニッカウヰスキー・プレステージ」誕生！" [The most luxurious spectator space ever! The "Nikka Whisky Prestige", with its exclusive bar lounge and other services, is born!] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. March 31, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  46. ^ "Kスタ宮城に新たな大型ビジョンが誕生！" [A new, large Vision is born in K-STA Miyagi!] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. January 20, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  47. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Kスタ宮城リニューアルで「野球観戦の醍醐味」を体感！" [Experience the "real thrill of watching a baseball game" at the renovated K-STA Miyagi!] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. December 18, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  48. ^ "新設外野フェンス【Eウィング】完成！" [New outfield fence [E Wing] completed!] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. March 26, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  49. ^ "ソフトＢ　ヤフオクＤ"ラッキーゾーン"新設初戦は不発、零敗では…" [SoftBank Yafuoku Dome "lucky zone" first game misfire, shutout...]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). February 28, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  50. ^ "宮城球場命名権売却で合意　県と楽天" [Miyagi Prefecture and Rakuten Agree to Sell Naming Rights to Miyagi Stadium]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). December 7, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  51. ^ "Fullcast bids for stadium naming rights". The Japan Times. Kyodo News. January 21, 2005. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  52. ^ "楽天球場名は「フルキャストスタジアム宮城」に" [Rakuten Baseball Stadium to be named "Fullcast Stadium Miyagi"]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 20, 2005. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  53. ^ "球場名「スポンサーの都合」で突如変わる　ネーミングライツと企業買収、契約解消" [Ballpark Names Suddenly Change for "Sponsor's Convenience" Naming Rights, Corporate Acquisitions, and Contract Termination] (in Japanese). J-CAST. January 21, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  54. ^ "宮城球場のネーミングライツ（命名権）を募集します" [Taking applications for the naming rights for Miyagi Stadium] (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture. October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  55. ^ "宮城球場の新しい愛称の決定について" [Decision on a new name for Miyagi Stadium] (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture. December 21, 2007. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  56. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "楽天本拠地、また改名　「何回変わるの？」　「何て呼べば」" [Rakuten's home field to be renamed again "How many times will it change?"　"What should we call it?"]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  57. ^ "球場愛称変更のお知らせ「日本製紙クリネックススタジアム宮城」→「クリネックススタジアム宮城」" [Notice of change of stadium name: "Nippon Paper Kleenex Stadium Miyagi" → "Kleenex Stadium Miyagi"] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. February 15, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  58. ^ "【発表項目】宮城球場ネーミングライツ契約の更新について" [[Announcement] Renewal of the Naming Rights Agreement for Miyagi Stadium] (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  59. ^ "新球場名は「楽天ｋｏｂｏスタジアム」＝球団親会社が命名権" [New stadium to be named "Rakuten Kobo Stadium"; team's parent company holds naming rights] (in Japanese). Jiji Press. December 14, 2013. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  60. ^ "宮城球場の施設命名権（ネーミングライツ）について" [About Facility Naming Rights of Miyagi Stadium] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. December 24, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  61. ^ "宮城球場、「楽天生命パーク宮城」に　「Koboパーク」1年で終了" [Miyagi Stadium to be renamed "Rakuten Seiemi Park Miyagi" after one year of "Kobo Park"] (in Japanese). ITmedia. December 25, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  62. ^ "楽天　宮城球場のネーミングライツ更新「Ｋоｂоパーク宮城」へ愛称変更" [Rakuten renews naming rights for Miyagi Stadium, changes name to "Kоbо Park Miyagi"]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). October 31, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  63. ^ Kuwahara, Norihiko (February 21, 2018). "宮城）公的施設の命名権、変更に困惑の声も" [(Miyagi) Naming rights for public facilities, some confused about changes]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  64. ^ "宮城球場命名権　楽天生命パーク引き続き使用へ" [Naming rights for Miyagi Stadium, Rakuten Seimei Park to continue to be used]. Kahoku Shimpō (in Japanese). November 26, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2021.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  65. ^ "とうほく鉄道物語／２　ＪＲ仙石線・宮城野原駅　楽天カラーでお出迎え　／宮城" [Tohoku Railroad Story / 2 JR Senseki Line / Miyaginohara Station Welcome in Rakuten's Color / Miyagi]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 3, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  66. ^ "電車をご利用の方" [For those who use the train] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  67. ^ "シャトルバスをご利用の方" [For those who use the shuttle bus] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  68. ^ "高速バスをご利用の方" [For those who use an intercity bus] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  69. ^ Jump up to: a b "お車をご利用の方" [For those who use a car] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  70. ^ "自転車・バイクをご利用" [Using bikes and motorcycles] (in Japanese). Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Retrieved June 14, 2021.

External links[]

Tenants
Preceded by
Tokyo Stadium 		Home of the
Lotte Orions
1973–1977 		Succeeded by
Kawasaki Stadium
Preceded by
First stadium 		Home of the
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
2005–present 		Succeeded by
Current stadium
Retrieved from ""