Photo/Illutration Metal baseball bats, including one in a white color representing a Tokaido Shinkansen train and another in yellow representing a Doctor Yellow test train. The Shinkansen train seen in the back is a model of the N700 series train that is to be recycled. (Ayateru Hosozawa)

Sure to be a big hit, metal bats for children's rubber-ball baseball, made from aluminum recycled from Tokaido Shinkansen bodies, will soon arrive at ballparks and playgrounds.

The bats are set to hit the market on Oct. 14, which is “Railway Day" in Japan. 

A limited edition run of 1,400 bats will be produced with pre-orders starting from Aug. 1.

The metal bats were jointly developed by Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) and sports equipment giant Mizuno Corp.

Specifically designed for the first few years of elementary school students, the bats measure between 74 and 78 centimeters long and weigh from 440 to 460 grams.

The price including tax is 14,300 yen ($100).

JR Tokai removed the paint and soundproofing materials from the retired N700 series bullet train bodies and extracted high-purity aluminum alloy.

Mizuno then adjusted the aluminum’s composition to ensure durability equal to that of normal bats.

The bats come in three designs.

One design, where the bat barrel transitions from white to silver toward the grip, symbolizes the Shinkansen’s transformation into a metal bat.

Another design features a white color with blue window and body line decorations, emulating the iconic Tokaido Shinkansen train.

Lastly, a yellow design represents the popular test train called “Doctor Yellow.”

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