#LifeOnTheRoad - Creating a Skin Tarp

This is another post in a periodic series entitled #LifeOnTheRoad.  The background is simple.  During my travels I  encounter many grounds managers/coaches doing great things.  Because of this, I have started this series.  The goal - expose more grounds managers, coaches, architects, etc to areas of facility and sports turf maintenance that may be implemented to their facility/design.


This post takes us back to Butler University Softball.  The staff took their old full infield tarp and cut it down to become a “skin tarp.”  A great use for an older tarp.  This will protect the surface over the winter while also prohibiting any unwanted turf/weed growth.  

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Cricket at Dodger Stadium - Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers

On Saturday November 14, 2015, history was made at Dodger Stadium.  The home of the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted it’s first ever cricket match.  The Cricket All Stars played an exhibition game featuring retired cricket stars, the most popular being Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

How was this accomplished?  Careful and extensive planning along with great work and cooperation from the Dodger Stadium Grounds Crew.  

Let’s start back in late May/early June 2015.  Design of the steel trays began.  On July 21, 2015 steel trays, designed by Mark Perham from FieldTurfNZ arrived at the J&D Turf warehouse.  On July 23-24 the trays were filled with clay and carefully leveled.  Entering the prime seeding window for cool season turf the trays were seeded with 100% apron treated ryegrass on August 25.  A temporary irrigation system as installed, growth blankets placed and the grow-in commenced.  

7 days later germination was present and by late September (approximately 35 days after seeding) the wickets were ready for initial preparations.

Wicket prep continued during the month of October.

Moving day began on November 9.  The Dodger Stadium tray was loaded onto 2 flat bed trucks in Indianapolis, Indiana, and carefully wrapped for the trip to Los Angeles, CA.

The trucks arrived at Dodger Stadium Thursday November 12 and preparation continued Friday and Saturday.  

The match took place at 6:30 PM on Saturday November 14.  Attendance figures exceeded 30,000 while TV and Internet viewers were in the 30-50 million range around the world. 

Removal of the portable wicket began at 7:30 AM on Sunday and the wickets were back on the road to Indianapolis by noon on Sunday.

Overall, a great success.  Many people made this possible, but I can’t say thanks enough to the cooperation of the Dodger Stadium Grounds Crew.  Their hard work, assistance, and attention to detail was exceptional.  The “grow-in team” with J&D Turf in Indianapolis was exceptional.  Finally, the design and hands on work of Mark Perham of FieldTurfNZ and his team was the driving force to making all of this possible.

So there you go, innovation at it’s best - Round 3!

That was the final cricket event for 2015 in the states.  Will 2016 offer additional Cricket All-Star events?  Stay tuned! 

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

Play on!

--Jamie

Cricket at Minute Maid Park Home of the Houston Astros

On Wednesday November 11, 2015, history was made at Minute Maid Park. The home of the Houston Astros became the second professional baseball ground in the United States to host a cricket match.  The Cricket All Stars played an exhibition game featuring retired cricket stars, the most popular being Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

How was this accomplished?  Careful and extensive planning along with great work and cooperation from the Minute Maid Park Grounds Crew.  

Let’s start back in late May/early June 2015.  Design of the steel trays began.  On July 21, 2015 steel trays, designed by Mark Perham from FieldTurfNZ arrived at the J&D Turf warehouse.  On July 23-24 the trays were filled with clay and carefully leveled.  Entering the prime seeding window for cool season turf the trays were seeded with 100% apron treated ryegrass on August 25.  A temporary irrigation system as installed, growth blankets placed and the grow-in commenced.  

7 days later germination was present and by late September (approximately 35 days after seeding) the wickets were ready for initial preparations.

Wicket prep continued during the month of October.

Moving day began on November 7.  The Minute Maid Park tray was loaded onto 2 flat bed trucks in Indianapolis, Indiana, and carefully wrapped for the trip to Houston, TX.

The trucks arrived in at Houston’s Minute Maid Park on November 9.  

Preparation continued Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The match took place at 8 PM on Wednesday November 11.  Attendance figures exceeded 20,000 while TV and Internet viewers were in the 30-50 million range around the world. 

Removal of the portable wicket took place on Thursday November 12 and the wickets were back on the road to Indianapolis by 4 PM.

Overall, a great success.  Many people made this possible, but I can’t say thanks enough to the cooperation of the Minute Maid Park Grounds Crew.  Their hard work, assistance, and attention to detail was exceptional.  The “grow-in team” with J&D Turf in Indianapolis was exceptional.  Finally, the design and hands on work of Mark Perham of FieldTurfNZ and his team was the driving force to making all of this possible.

So there you go, innovation at it’s best - Round 2!

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Cricket at Citi Field

On Saturday November 7, 2015, history was made at Citi Field. The home of the New York Mets became the first major professional baseball ground in the United States to host an international cricket match.  The Cricket All Stars played an exhibition game featuring retired cricket stars, the most popular being Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

How was this accomplished?  Careful and extensive planning along with great work and cooperation from the Citi Field Grounds Crew.  

Let’s start back in late May/early June 2015.  Design of the steel trays began.  On July 21, 2015 steel trays, designed by Mark Perham from FieldTurfNZ arrived at the J&D Turf warehouse.  On July 23-24 the trays were filled with clay and carefully leveled.  Entering the prime seeding window for cool season turf, the trays were seeded with 100% apron treated ryegrass on August 25.  A temporary irrigation system as installed, growth blankets placed and the grow-in commenced.  

7 days later germination was present and by late September (approximately 35 days after seeding) the wickets were ready for initial preparations.

Wicket prep continued during the month of October.

Moving day began on November 4.  The Citi Field tray was loaded onto 2 flat bed trucks in Indianapolis, Indiana, and carefully wrapped for the trip to New York, NY.

The trucks arrived in New York City’s Citi Field late Thursday November 5.  Installation began late Thursday and concluded around 3 AM.

Preparation continued Friday and Saturday morning.  

The match took place at 1 PM on Saturday November 7.  Attendance figures exceeded 25,000 while TV and Internet viewers were in the millions around the world. 

Removal of the portable wicket began at the conclusion of the match and the wicket was back on the road to Indianapolis by 11 PM on Saturday

Overall, a great success.  Many people made this possible, but I can’t say thanks enough to the cooperation of the Citi Field Grounds Crew.  Their hard work, assistance, and attention to detail was exceptional.  The “grow-in team” with J&D Turf in Indianapolis was exceptional.  Finally, the design and hands on work of Mark Perham of FieldTurfNZ and his team was the driving force to making all of this possible.

So there you go, innovation at it’s best! 

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer