2011 Year in Review

New Year's Eve gives me a prime opportunity to reflect on 2011 and look forward to new projects and opportunities in 2012. On behalf of the entire crew at J&D Turf, I thank our clients, vendors, partners and friends who helped make 2011 such a success.  

To see the video on full-screen, click HERE.

Play on!
--Jamie

Christmas Day - Jasper Baseball and Ruxer Field

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I spent Christmas morning in my hometown of Jasper, IN. So, a morning walk led me to some old stomping grounds, Ruxer Field. Ruxer Field is home to the Jasper High School baseball program. Jasper has won 5 ISHAA baseball state titles. Ruxer Field has a capacity of 2,200 and hosts ISHAA tournaments on an annual basis. The surface is a blend of bermuda grass overseeded with ryegrass and tall fescue.

Another facility is the Jasper Baseball Fieldhouse. The fieldhouse, located down the right field line, has indoor batting cages, locker rooms, restrooms, and equipment storage.

To learn more about Jasper High School, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

University of Evansville

I spent this morning at the University of Evansville. Bob Dale, Grounds Supervisor, lead me on a tour of the baseball, soccer and softball facilities.

First, a photo of Braun Stadium. This baseball facility was completed in 2001 and has a bluegrass outfield surface and a Riviera bermuda grass infield surface

The next photo is from the soccer surface at UE. Arad McCutchan Stadium. The photo below shows the Riviera bermuda grass playing surface overseeded with 14 lbs per 1000 sq ft or ryegrass.

Finally, a photo of Cooper Stadium, home of the Lady Aces softball program.

A special thanks to Bob and his crew for the tour.

To learn more about Braun Stadium, click HERE.

To learn more about McCutchan Stadium, click HERE.

To learn more about Cooper Stadium, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Winter Education - 2011-12 - Vol 1 Infield Maintenance

The SmartTurf Blog is wrapping up the growing season as winter is setting in across the Midwest. From time to time I will post on projects from the past year and other topical information, but the goal with the blog over the next 3 months will be a focus on education. I will write pieces on the blog as well as sharing sites with additional information on maintaining and constructing athletic fields.

The first item in this series relates to infield maintenance. I published an article in Sports Field Management Magazine in September of this year. Click HERE to see the article.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Purdue Baseball - Alexander Field

Last week, I stopped by Purdue University to take a look at the new baseball field. Alexander Field will be the new home of the Boilers. The sod was shipped in from Tuckahoe in New Jersey and the infield mix is Dura Edge Pro from Natural Sand Company.

Here are a couple of photos

Look for additional posts on this project in 2012!

To learn more about Purdue Baseball, click HERE.

To learn more about Natural Sand, click HERE.

To learn more about Tuckahoe Turf Farms, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

2011 OTF

The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation held their annual education and trade show event the last three days. J&D Turf had a booth at the event. Here are a couple of photos.

The stage on the trade show floor:

Next, a photo from the trade show floor:

To learn more about the OTF, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Now is the Time to Apply Snow Mold Fungicides

As the winter weather approaches, please make the decision to apply or not apply snow mold protection. To learn more about snow mold and the preventative measures, click on the links below.

Click HERE for the Purdue information on snow mold.

Click HERE for the Ohio State info on snow mold.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Indiana State - Sod Complete

The sodding project at Bob Warn Field at ISU was completed last week. Here are a few photos:

As you can see, the decision to use "standard" small roll sod was made at the last minute. Why? Recent, persistent rains after the native soil rootzone was laser graded provided a surface that was prone to possible damage from the larger equipment necessary for "big roll" sod. Furthermore, the installation of "standard" cut sod was one day quicker than the "big roll" option. Needless to say, the sod was installed right before another rain.

The future plan: A starter fertilizer was applied and the sod was rolled with a 1 1/2 ton duel drum roller. The field will be topdressed with 50 tons of USGA rootzone sand. Opening Day - March 6, 2012.

To learn more about ISU Baseball, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

A New Website for Advanced Turf Solutions (ATS)

A quick note this morning. I wanted to pass along a new website that many of you may find useful. Advanced Turf Solutions (ATS) launched a new website early this week.

The site is full of product info for not only sports turf, but also lawn care and golf products. Finally, there is a blog on the site as well. While the SmartTurf blog is all things sports turf, the Around the Turf Scene blog consists of all things sports turf, lawn care, and golf.

To see the new ATS website, click HERE.
To see the new ATS blog, click HERE.

Play on!
--Jamie

Does Late Fall Fertilizer Affect Spring Green-up?

The short answer, YES.

Click HERE for a research article from Ohio State in regards to spring green-up and late fall fertilizer applications.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

ISU, Rose Hulman, and DePauw

My travels this week to me the west side of Indiana. Here is a brief recap:

The J&D Turf crew is re-sodding the outfield at Indiana State. The infield is a FieldTurf surface. In the past 2 weeks, the existing sod in the outfield was removed with a Koro, the rootzone was laser graded and prepared for sod. Sod will be installed Nov 18-19.

To learn more about ISU baseball, click HERE.

The next stop was at Rose Hulman. I snapped a photo of the football field and the practice soccer field. Both surfaces are patriot bermuda grass overseeded with ryegrass. The fields are in great shape, as the topdressing of sand over the years have created a nice sand capped playing surface.

To learn more about Rose athletics, click HERE.

Finally, a stop at DePauw. First stop, Blackstock Stadium. This past weekend DePauw hosted the Monon Bell Game. Here are a couple of photos of the bluegrass/ryegrass surface.

Finally, a couple of photos from the bermudagrass surface at DePauw. Once again, the surface is in great shape after a season of field hockey and practice football. The patriot bermuda grass has been overseeded with ryegrass and topdressed with USGA rootzone sand. A nice sand cap is being constructed.

To learn more about DePauw athletics, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Ross-Ade Stadium in Early November

I stopped by Ross-Ade Stadium on the campus of Purdue University this week. I wanted to share a quick photo. Below is a photo of the playing surface. The bermudagrass surface has been overseeded with ryegrass. The field looks great and will be ready for the Buckeyes tomorrow.

To learn more about Ross-Ade Stadium, click HERE.
To learn more about Purdue Football, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Winter Annual Weeds

Winter annual weeds have now germinated and can be seen across the midwest. To see a great article on winter annuals, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Do I Need to Till My Infield - How Do I Add Infield Mix to an Infield?

The short answer - YES you need to till/blec new infield mix into the existing mix. Why? The laying of the two material will cause an interface that will cause poor conditions when the infield is saturated. Here are two photos:

An infield that was not tilled.....

This photo was taken from an infield in Ohio this past week. The superintendent said, "The infield played well until this spring, now it is our worst infield!" As you can see, there is a layer in the profile. Keep in mind, blending infield mix with a harley rake WILL NOT work to properly blend a profile.

An infield that has been tilled.....

This photo is from 5/3 Field in Dayton, OH. This is a great shot due to the fact that there is no layering present, and it also shows the sand below the infield mix. This is common on sand based baseball fields.

So, how do you add new infield mix to an existing infield? Follow the link HERE to find out.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

The SmartTurf Blog 2011 Pumpkin

Fear the Beard!

Play on!
--Jamie

Buckeye Sports Field 10 Point Plan

The Ohio State University just posted this 10 Point Plan on their website. It is not only good reading, but also a great piece to present to user groups, AD's, GM's etc.

Click HERE for the link to the article.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

A Couple of Photos From This Week

A fun Friday post..............

You never know what you will see as I travel the country and visit over 3,000 athletic fields a year. Below are a couple of interesting photos from this week.......

First stop, Indiana Tech - the team is carrying the cage on the field. Needless to say, a couple of new wheels are now on order.

Next, what do you do when tennis courts are too close the the baseball field? Build a large backstop. This photo was taken at Franklin College. This is the largest backstop I have seen.

To learn more about Indiana Tech baseball, click HERE.

To learn more about Franklin College baseball, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

DePauw University - Late Oct

Can a bermudagrass surface be successful in Indiana in late Oct? See the photos below from DePauw University yesterday. The field was overseeded in early Sept with 20 lbs of ryegrass per 1000 sq ft. The field has had over 75 events since Aug 15.

A quick photo from a cool season turf field after less that 50 events.

To follow the entire process this summer, go to the JUNE, JULY, and AUGUST posts.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - Victory Field - V

The first phase of the sodding project at Victory Field was completed yesterday. The sod, from Tuckahoe Turf Farms was delivered and installed on the infield and the foul territory areas. During the sodding process, a John Deere 1200A bunker rake was used to elimate any footprints/tracks in the sod. The sod was then rolled and hand watered. Below is a photo journal of the process.

The sod arrives in Indianapolis.

The first roll is installed......

The process continues and is completed.......

On Monday, additional Dura Edge Pro infield mix from the Natural Sand Company will be added to the infield and the baselines. The material will be blended with a Blecavator, rolled and laser graded. Look for photos of that process on Tuesday.

To learn more about Tuckahoe Turf Farms, click HERE.

To learn more about Natural Sand, click HERE.

To learn more about the Indianapolis Indians, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

Wet Football Fields? - A Great Answer to the Problems

I will take a break from the baseball field renovations for a day and focus on wet football/soccer fields. The Indianapolis area has received over 2 inches of rain in the past 48 hours. Needless to say, the local football fields will be wet this weekend.

So, I wanted to post a link to a great sand cap article/research project that was concluded and published at Michigan State University in 2010

Click HERE for the link on sand-capped football/softball fields.

One researcher once told me, "The research in out there to address many athletic field issues, the decision makers must review it and put it to action."

Below are two photos from Speedway High School taken today. This field has been under a annual aerification, overseeding and topdressing program. As you can see, there is some wear through the middle of the field, but after over 20 games, it is in pretty good shape for $5,500 a year of maintenance.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - 5/3 Field - I

The renovation of 5/3 Field in Dayton, OH has begun and is in full swing. J&D Turf is partnering with Nolan Thomas and Co. on this renovation project. The 12 year old sand cap field is scheduled for the following:

1. Removing of all the existing rootzone.
2. Installing new irrigation
3. Scoping all the drain lines to check for breaks
4. Installing 8 inches of new rootzone
5. Sodding the playing surface

The field is being renovated due to extreme annual bluegrass contamination and slow/poor drainage.

Here are a few photos from today.

The temporary ramp to handle the truck traffic:

The final pile of the "old" rootzone and a photo of the load out of the rootzone:

Look for more posts on this project in the future........

Click HERE to view a March post on 5/3 Field.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!
--Jamie

October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - Victory Field - IV

The renovation of Victory Field is arriving to a point of sodding later this week. All the heads and swing joints were located via GPS before the project began. Here is a photo of the swing joint after the renovation.

Next, a photo after a new head is installed.

Look for more photos of this project this week, as sod will be installed by the end of the week. Also, I will have an update from the work in Dayton tomorrow.

To learn more about J&D Turf, click HERE.

Play on!
--Jamie