Overview
Natural turf refers to real grass planted on the playing field, contrasted with artificial turf. While NPB stadiums long favored artificial-turf domed venues, a trend toward natural-grass outdoor ballparks has gained momentum in recent years. The primary advantage of natural turf is reduced physical stress on players. Artificial surfaces, laid over hard substrates, transmit greater impact forces during running and diving, elevating long-term injury risk to knees and hips. Natural grass, cushioned by soil, absorbs shock and lessens strain on joints and muscles. Batted-ball behavior also differs significantly between surfaces. On natural turf, ground balls decelerate due to grass resistance and irregular bounces occur more frequently. Artificial turf produces faster-rolling grounders with more uniform bounces. These differences affect defensive difficulty and batting statistics. Hanshin Koshien Stadium is NPB's most iconic natural-turf venue, and its beautifully maintained grass field is a defining feature. Groundskeeping demands specialized expertise, with meticulous seasonal and weather-responsive maintenance essential. While natural turf costs more to maintain than artificial alternatives, the return to real grass - driven by player health and game-quality considerations - has become a global trend.