Whiting - Wear Around the Plate, I Have an App for That.

The J&D Turf crew was in Whiting, IN today.  The task, take a homeplate that had a 26 ft diameter and take it to a 32 ft diameter.  Also, raise the plate to ensure positive drainage while allowing the pitcher's rubber to be 10 inches above homeplate.  Why do this?  The field had it's first year of play last year, and there was extensive wear in the turf around the plate.  With the 2012 schedule as busy as 2011, fighting the traffic will be an uphill battle.  So, let's get to it......

First, the new diameter is measured and a line is painted in the turf.

Next, 4 inches of root zone sand was removed.

Then the plate was raised to allow for positive drainage.  Note the string lines set to make sure the plate is square with the pitchers rubber and the foul poles/bases.

4 inches of Dura Edge Collegiate infield mix was added to the perimeter of the plate.  Dura Pitch Mound Clay was installed in the batters boxes and catchers box.

The plate was then leveled with a board.  Positive drainage is ensured due to the laser leveling of home plate.

The plate was worked up and re-leveled with a bunker rake.

Finally, the plate was tire rolled and a finish drag was performed.

Not bad for a days work!

To learn more about Oil City Stadium in Whiting, click HERE.

Click HERE to learn more about DuraEdge products.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

New Warning Track at Indiana State

Back in Indianapolis after a busy week of travel that included trips to Fort Wayne, Elkhart, South Bend, and Lafayette.  Look for photos from those visits in a couple of days.

I wanted to post a couple of photos from the new warning track at ISU.  The baseball field was re-sodded last fall, but the warning track was installed this spring due to the December weather.  DuraTrax from DuraEdge products and the Natural Sand Company was installed over a compacted native soil sub base.

I get this question often, what type of sub base is needed under a warning track?  The answer, it depends on the use of the track.  At professional stadiums, typically a crush and run or road base material is used to facilitate drainage and to also provide structural stability when heavy traffic loads are applied to the track.  (i.e. - concerts, etc.)  Since ISU is using their track for only mowers and foot traffic, a compacted sub base is acceptable while also saving a tremendous amount of money for the Sycamores.  In conclusion, at the college, high school, and recreational levels, a compacted native soil sub base is the way to go for a sub base under warning tracks.

Here are some photos:  The photos are as follows: 1. Topdressing the DuraTrax over the compacted sub base  2. A shot along the LF outfield fence  3. Along the LF grass edge  4. Along the LF foul line

 
Click HERE to learn more about Indiana State baseball.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Pitchers and Catchers Report

Over the weekend, most major league teams had pitchers and catchers report for the 2012 season.  Opening Day is April 4 in Miami as the Miami Marlins host the St Louis Cardinals.

I wanted to share 2 items this Monday morning.  First, a quick photo from my visit with Doug Gallant with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.  The growth blankets are down and the ryegrass surface is in great shape.

Also, a great link in the New York Times from yesterday.  Click HERE for the link of the article on MLB groundskeepers and their project in CA this past January.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Victory Field - The Tear Down is Almost Complete

Stopped by to see Joey Stevenson at Victory Field yesterday.  The building constructed for the Super Bowl is almost completely removed.  All that is left is a few pieces of the steel supports and the concrete and stone that was installed as the supports for the structure and the floor for the facility.  Here are a few photos:

Removing the concrete curb.

View from RF grounds shop.

Finally a view from the infield looking towards the scoreboard.

Look for additional posts as the field renovation begins late next week.

Click HERE to learn more about Victory Field.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Hoosiers

My travels took me to the eastern part of Indiana last Friday.  I was early to a meeting in Knightstown, IN.  So, I followed the sign the the "Hoosiers Gym."  What a great visit.

Below are photos from the gym where the Hickory Huskers played host to many teams in the movie Hoosiers.  The gym is still in the same condition as the movie.

First, the gym and the locker room.....

Next, the photo on the gym wall of the Huskers and the movie poster.....

If you are ever passing by Knightstown (approx. 25 min from Indy) please consider visiting the gym.

Click HERE to the trailer from the movie Hoosiers.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

A Day in South Bend

I spent Tuesday in South Bend.  First stop in the trip was at Coveleski Stadium, home of the South Bend Silver Hawks.  Here are a couple of photos of the playing surface.

After a quick stop at St. Mary’s College, I stopped across the street at the University of Notre Dame.  I looked at the infield at Eck Stadium.  What I found interesting was the infield mix was soft from the winter freeze/thaw, but the DuraEdge Pro infield surface was still providing a “cleat in-cleat out” surface during practice!

A stop at Notre Dame would not be complete without a stop at Notre Dame Stadium.  So, here is a photo as I walked up the tunnel. 

Click HERE to learn more about the South Bend Silver Hawks.

Click HERE to learn more about St. Mary’s College.

Click HERE to learn more about University of Notre Dame Athletics.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

Indiana University - Warm February Weather

I was in Bloomington, IN last Friday.....  Wow, the golf course and the athletic fields do not typically look this green in early February.  In fact, the fairways were in the process on being aerified with solid tines

Next stop, the baseball field.  This field was amended with DuraEdge products in 2010.  The infield is ready for the early season practices and games.

Finally, the softball field.  Here is a shot of the DuraTrax warning track material from the Natural Sand Company.

Best of luck to Brent Emerick and his crew in 2012!

To learn more about IU Athletics, click HERE.

To learn more about DuraEdge products, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Super Bowl XLVI - Photos from the Village

The game game is past halftime, so what a better time to look back at the Super Bowl Village.  The downtown area was the epicenter for activity for the past two weeks.

First, the XLVI display on Monument Circle

Next stop, Georgia Street in the heart of the Super Bowl Village.

Looking East

The ice sculptures, they could have melted this week!

The 2012 IndyCar Dan Wheldon helped to develop.

Finally, the famous zip line......

Great work Indianapolis!  Back to turf related posts tomorrow as it is only 7 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training camp for the Seattle Mariners.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

A Couple of T-Shirt Designs from a Super Bowl Party Last Night

Well, the big game is here today.  So, today the blog will turn to the Super Bowl and away from turf for 24 hours.  Below is the first of two posts for today.

I attended a Super Bowl party last night.  Below are a couple photos of local artists takes on the big game....

First, a patriot firing at a giant.

Next, a giant hand hand crushing a patriot.

Enjoy the big game today.  Look for a Super Bowl village post later today.....

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

Play on!
--Jamie

DuraEdge - Infield Amendments and Mixes

A new website was launched this week.  dura-edge.com is the new website for DuraEdge products, from the Natural Sand Company. Check it out.  Look for additional pages and information as the site grows in the future.

What level of maintenance?  What is your SCR?  The website explains it all.

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

Play on!
--Jamie