Pingtan will host all softball events of the National Youth Games, from Oct 18 to 27, in a state-of-the-art softball stadium which is said to be one of the best in the country. Local news portal ptnet.cn took a tour to inside the 70-million-yuan project three days before the games started.

The stadium covers an area of nearly 9,000 square meters and can house 5,030 spectators. The stadium looks like a boat, embodying Pingtan’s coastal characteristics.

The two-storey stands have six sections and six entrances. The seats have two colors, with 193 red seats in the middle for media, athletes and VIP guests. The blue seats are for the audience.

The medical room in the east side of the first floor is set for operations, with equipment and medicine. There are three medical booths in the stadium to provide light treatment.

In addition, two hospitals in Pingtan will open green channels for possible injuries during the Games.

The doping control station is situated in the west of the stadium. A big white ice tank is used to store urine samples. Three officials responsible for the tests from the General Administration of Sports of China have arrived in Pingtan.

The bright and spacious interview room is in the east of the stadium. The 120-sq-m room can hold about 100 people.

There is a 2-meter “robot” outside the area, with three feet and a propeller-shaped head. It is actually a mobile automatic weather station which monitors real-time temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction. The results will be reflected on LED screens inside the stadium.

A total of 82 volunteers will stay on call and provide service in all aspects during the Games.

Eight softball teams, all women, will compete in Pingtan during the Games.

The Sichuan team held a two-hour training session on Thursday morning in order to get familiar with the weather and facilities.

“The wind conditions in Pingtan might have a little influence on the direction of the softball. We are getting used to it,” said Tang Changdong, coach of the Sichuan team, adding that the whole team is impressed with the gorgeous stadium.