The Colosseum - Rome

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy. In Rome, I toured the historic Colosseum, arguably one of the first sports facilities built in modern times. Construction on the structure began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD.  Click here to learn more about the structure.

Here are a few photos.  First, the exterior made of travertine stone:

Next, a couple shots of the interior:

A couple of shots of the floor of the Colosseum:

The floor had a number of trap doors and elevators that raised animals into the Colosseum.  Click HERE to learn more about the trap doors and the floor.

I was amazed at how some of the architectural used at the Colosseum is similar to what is used today.  Here is an example.  Going from the concourse to the seating bowl.  First, the Colosseum, second Tropicana Field:

Also, did you know that the Colosseum had a retractable sail?  It was called a "velarium." Over 1,000 sailors would use ropes and pulleys to move the canvas sails.  Here are a few photos of the system:

A photo of the design:

A photo of the areas where the ropes were attached to the ground:

Click HERE to learn more about the velarium.

The velarium looks awful close to one of the proposed designs for a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays:

photo courtesy of peplums.blogspot.com

photo courtesy of mlb.sbnation.com

Overall, the Colosseum is an impressive structure.  Even more impressive to consider it was built almost 2000 years ago.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Snow Mold on Turfgrass

After blizzard conditions across most of the midwest today, I thought it would be a good time to talk snow mold on sports turf.  Bottom line, pink snow mold is the disease that should be of concern for sports turf managers across the midwest.

Below are links from Purdue Turfgrass that explains both diseases.

Pink Snow Mold

Gray Snow Mold

Stay safe in the winter weather.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

An Article in SportsField Management Magazine

Back at it after a few days off.  Look for a post later this week detailing a visit to the first retractable roof in stadium......  Can you guess which stadium had the first retractable roof?

For today, click HERE for an article in SportsField Management magazine detailing the field renovation project at Brian Wilson Field in Batavia, OH.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

A Few Days Off

With the conclusion of the growing season and before tradeshow season, I am taking a vacation to re-charge the batteries.   Look for additional posts later this month.

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

OTF Tradeshow - Complete

This past week, the J&D Turf crew was in Columbus, OH for the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Tradeshow.

Here is a photo of the event:

Look for more appearances at tradeshows over the winter.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

OTF Tradeshow - Tuesday and Wednesday

Join the J&D Turf team at the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Tradeshow in Columbus, OH.  This is first of many tradeshows for the J&D Turf team this fall/winter.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer