Hiroshi "Morris" Morioka joins Trash Pandas staff as Senior Manager of Promotions and Entertainment
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce the addition of Hiroshi "Morris" Morioka as the club's Senior Manager of Promotions and Entertainment for the 2025 season. Originally from Okayama, Japan, Morris brings over a decade of unique experience gained from working with professional basketball and
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce the addition of Hiroshi "Morris" Morioka as the club's Senior Manager of Promotions and Entertainment for the 2025 season. Originally from Okayama, Japan, Morris brings over a decade of unique experience gained from working with professional basketball and baseball teams in both the United States and Japan.
As a former high-level athlete, Morioka played basketball from elementary school through high school. He says his experience in Japanese basketball has prepared him for his new role with the Trash Pandas.
"There are many similarities between Japanese professional basketball and minor league baseball," said Morioka. "The venues are comparable in size, but in Japan, we don’t engage fans like teams in the United States, as the Trash Pandas do. While baseball is the most popular sport in Japan, basketball is gaining popularity, especially following the recent Olympic Games.
Morioka's sports background began in the United States when he joined the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (MiLB) in 2009. Although his English was not strong enough for phone calls then, he quickly improved his language skills and earned the club's trust through his passion and innovative ideas for fan entertainment.
“Joining the best brand in Minor League Baseball, the Trash Pandas, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how to run a sports venue of this size and the business of baseball," Morioka stated. “I’m excited to leverage the knowledge I've gained from other sports franchises, including those in Japan, to engage with the Japanese community and promote baseball in any way possible.”
Morioka is also playing a key role in the upcoming Japanese Anime Night on April 10 and is promoting a jersey featuring koi fish and cherry blossoms that the team will wear. All game production and entertainment elements will highlight Japan's heritage and culture.
"I am thrilled to have Morris join our team," said Lindsey Knupp, Executive Vice President of the Trash Pandas. "He brings an unmatched level of energy, excitement, and experience in sports entertainment. Morris is also a fantastic ambassador for our Trash Pandas brand within the community. I look forward to uniting even more communities here at Toyota Field."
Morris has previously worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), New Mexico Thunderbirds (NBA G League), and Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in Japan. Notably, he also contributed to the NBA Japan Games in 2019 and 2022 during his time at Rakuten.
Morris's creativity was on full display in 2011 when he went viral for dribbling a basketball for 230 miles over 12 days from Tokyo to Sendai, raising money for victims of the 2011 Japanese Tsunami. This initiative captured national attention as news outlets followed his journey.
The Trash Pandas open their fifth season at Toyota Field on Friday, April 4, against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Single-game tickets for the 2025 season are now on sale, starting at just $8 for general admission and $16 for field-level seats. They can be purchased online at tptix.com. Fans can also purchase tickets in person during regular business hours at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office or by calling 256-325-1403, option 1.
Fans can now start booking group outings for the 2025 season by visiting trashpandasgroups.com or by calling the group sales department directly at (256) 325-1403, option 2. 20-game mini-plans are also available at tptix.com.
For the latest information on events at Toyota Field, visit trashpandasbaseball.com/events.
Trash Pandas pitching strikes out 17 in Saturday loss to Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – Rocket City Trash Pandas' pitchers struck out 17 batters on Saturday night but lost game five of their six-game series against the Knoxville Smokies, 5-1, at Toyota Field. For the second time in the series, Rocket City was held hitless for the first six innings and managed
Guzman, Trash Pandas rally back to win Friday's nightcap, split doubleheader with Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies split a Friday night doubleheader in front of 4,945 fans at Toyota Field. The Trash Pandas rallied from a five-run deficit to win the second game 7-6 after the Smokies took the first game 4-0. Similar to their
Trash Pandas and Smokies postponed by rain on Thursday night
MADISON, Ala. – Tonight's scheduled 6:35 pm game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Knoxville Smokies has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a Friday, April 11 doubleheader at Toyota Field featuring two seven-inning games, with game one starting at 4:05
Cole Fontenelle hits for the first cycle in Trash Pandas history in 4-3 win
MADISON, Ala. – Cole Fontenelle hit for the first cycle in Rocket City Trash Pandas history in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field. The 23-year-old from Sammamish, WA, entered his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth needing a double for the cycle, and on
Homestand Highlights - April 8-13 vs. Knoxville Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas continue their nine-game homestand on Tuesday night with six games against the newly renamed Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 8 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm | Gates Open: 5:00
Former Trash Panda pitcher Michael Darrell Hicks "Launched to the League"
MADISON, Ala. – Former Trash Pandas pitcher Michael Darrell-Hicks had his contract selected by the Angels on Sunday and would become the 37th Rocket City player to make his major league debut. Darrell-Hicks was 6-4 with a 1.73 ERA over 30 relief outings in 2024 for the Trash Pandas, earning
Trash Pandas and Lookouts postponed on Sunday afternoon
MADISON, Ala. – Sunday’s scheduled 2:35 pm game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Chattanooga Lookouts has been postponed due to field conditions and the potential threat of more inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when Chattanooga returns to Toyota Field from
Guzman's walk-off homer in ninth completes comeback for Rocket City on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas erased a six-run deficit on Saturday night and got a three-run walk-off home run from Denzer Guzman in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 8-6 at Toyota Field. No stranger to Toyota Field magic, Guzman's walk-off blast was
Trash Pandas welcome 6,597 fans on opening night, fall 9-1
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas opened their fifth season on Friday night, welcoming 6,597 fans to Toyota Field – the largest opening night crowd for the club since their inaugural home game on May 11, 2021. The Chattanooga Lookouts knocked off Rocket City 9-1 on the field.
Trash Pandas Homestand Highlights: April 4-6 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas 2025 season begins at 6:35 pm on Friday, April 4, with a three-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, that runs through Sunday, April 6, at Toyota Field. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the
Trash Pandas unveil initial 2025 Opening Day Roster
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, are excited to announce the initial roster for the 2025 season. The fifth season of baseball at Toyota Field will include 22 players who have previously played for the Trash Pandas and 11 players ranked
Trash Pandas launch new offerings for fans in 2025
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce the addition of new delicious food items, new interactive options for fans to participate in the action at Toyota Field, and improved access to the ballpark for the fifth season of Trash Pandas baseball. “We’re super excited to
Toyota Field To Host Spring Tune-Up Car Show & Classic Car Day
MADISON, Ala. — The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce two upcoming events for automotive enthusiasts at Toyota Field. Classic Car Day is on April 27, and the Rocket City Spring Tune-Up is on May 3. Classic Car Day will be Sunday, April 27, at 2:35 pm as
14 Trash Pandas, plus broadcaster Josh Caray preparing for Angels Spring Break out game against Cubs on Saturday
Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball announced on MLB Network the Los Angeles Angels roster for the 2nd annual Spring Breakout, with 14 Rocket City Trash Pandas named to the roster. The Angels’ top prospects will compete on Saturday, March 15 at 8:05 pm CT against the top prospects
Trash Pandas partner with Angels to launch "Trash Panda For a Day Program"
MADISON, Ala. — The Trash Panda For a Day program is launching this season in partnership with the LA Angels and with an exciting initiative to support youth in the community. Each month, one elementary or middle school student will have the opportunity to spend a day with the Trash
Harris to join Trash Pandas Broadcast Team for 2025
MADISON, Alabama — The Rocket City Trash Pandas are pleased to announce the addition of Southern League veteran Chris Harris to its broadcast booth. The two-time winner of the Southern League’s Broadcaster of the Year will partner with Director of Broadcasting Josh Caray for the 2025 season. “I am thrilled
Trash Pandas Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
MADISON, Alabama — In conjunction with the Los Angeles Angels, the Rocket City Trash Pandas today unveiled the 2025 on-field coaching staff, led by returning Manager Andy Schatzley. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to return to the Trash Pandas and be a part of best-run affiliate in Minor League
Tickets on sale now for the 2025 Meet the Team Dinner on April 1
MADISON, Ala. — Exciting news! You can now grab your chance to meet the 2025 Rocket City Trash Pandas before Opening Night. Tickets for the 2025 Meet the Team Dinner are officially on sale! The annual dinner will take place at Toyota Field on Tuesday, April 1, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Adjusted Game Times, Dates Announced for Rocket City Softball Showcase
MADISON, Alabama — With temperatures plunging in North Alabama, Rocket City Softball Showcase event officials have announced additional changes to the event schedule. Mississippi and North Alabama will begin the three-day slate at Toyota Field beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 21st. The Auburn Tigers will make their Showcase
Trash Pandas Announce 2025 Weekly Promotions
MADISON, Ala. — The Rocket City Trash Pandas are over the moon to introduce new additions and bring back fan-favorite weekly promotions for the fifth season of baseball at Toyota Field. TUESDAYS – LADIES NIGHTS Each six-game series starts with Ladies Night on Tuesdays! Women in attendance can enter to
Schedule Change for UNA vs. Army College Baseball This Weekend at Toyota Field
Due to the projected weather forecast, the three-game series between the North Alabama Lions and the Army Black Knights has been adjusted from its original schedule. The schools will now play two nine-inning contests on Friday, February 14th, beginning at 2 p.m. The second game will start approximately 45 minutes