MADISON – He once dribbled 230 miles in 12 days to raise funds for victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck his native Japan.
Now, Hiroshi “Morris” Morioka will be bringing some of that creative thinking to Toyota Field as the senior manager of promotions and entertainment for the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
Originally from Okayama, Morioka has more than a decade of unique experience from working with professional basketball and baseball teams in the United States and Japan.
He played basketball from elementaryl through high school and said 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 the way teams like the Trash Pandas do in the United States.
“While baseball is the most popular sport in Japan, basketball is gaining popularity, especially following the recent Olympic Games.”
Morioka’s sports background in the United States began when he joined the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2009.
Although his English was not strong enough for phone calls at the time, 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 said. “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 Japanese Anime Night on April 10 and is promoting a jersey featuring koi fish and cherry blossoms that the team will wear. The game production and entertainment elements will highlight Japan’s heritage and culture.
“I am thrilled to have Morris join our team,” said Executive Vice President Lindsey Knupp, also a former IronPigs staffer. “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.”
Morioka worked with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the G League, and Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in Japan. 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 April 4, against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Single-game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale, starting at $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.
For group tickets, visit trashpandasgroups.com or call the group sales department 256-325-1403, option 2. The team’s 20-game mini-plans are also available at tptix.com.
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