New Wall and Backstop Netting at Butler University Baseball

A quick Sunday post in regards to a new backstop wall and net at Butler University.

Before:

After:

Do you think a new wall and backstop improves a facility?  The system at Butler is one of the nicest I have seen during my travels.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Corner of Playing Surface Drainage - Reds Urban Youth Academy

The SmartTurf team has been in Cincinnati recently to construct four playing surfaces for the new Reds Urban Youth Academy.

The previous playing surfaces were not laser graded.  To bring the fields to grade and laser grade the finish grade, additional topsoil was needed.  Kokosing Construction Company, the mass excavation firm for the project imported the topsoil and placed to +/- 1inch.  When this phase of the project was completed, the existing catch basins were well below finish grade at both the LF and RF corners.  So, the decision was made to pour a couple concrete curbs.  Here are a couple photos of the curbs.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Quickstand, Northbridge and Latitude 36 Bermudagrass

I made a stop at GrassMasters Sod Farm today.  The goal, look at 3 different bermudagrasses:

1. Quickstand
2. Northbridge
3. Latitude 36

Here are a few general notes:

First, Quickstand bermudagrass.  Here are a couple photos:

As seen on the photos above, this cultivar is not as dense as the newer cultivars and have very thick stolons.

Next, Northbridge bermudagrass was observed.  Here are a couple of photos:

The first photo shows Northbridge at sprig harvesting cutting height.  The second photo shows Northbride at sod cutting height.  Very fine leaf blades - similar to Patriot bermudagrass.

Lastly, Latitude 36 bermudagrass was observed.  Here are a couple of photos:

The first photo shows Latitude 36 at sprig harvesting cutting height.  The second photo shows Latitude 36 at sod cutting height.  Very fine leaf blades - similar to Patriot bermudagrass.

Here is a photo of sprigs from all three cultivars:

Quickstand/Latitude 36/ Northbridge

Conclusion - The two new cultivars (Latitude 36 and Northbridge) are excellent, dense turf with fine leaf texture.  Northbridge stolons were observed to have 3 plants per inch on the stolons while the Latitude 36 had only 2.  So, I would expect more scalping with Northbridge and less with Latitude 36, but Northbridge looks to be the slightly denser turf.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Overseeding Cool Season Turf Athletic Fields

In just 4 days, the overseeding window for cool season sports turf opens for many across the Midwest.  Lack of overseeding athletic fields and overseeding at the incorrect rates can be major reasons why athletic fields fail.  HERE is a great article from Pat Sherratt at Ohio State University.  HERE is a link from an earlier post on the SmartTurf Blog regarding overseeding.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Aerification and Topdressing of Sports Turf

We are entering the fall window to aerify and topdress cool season sports turf.  The SmartTurf team aerified and topdressed a soccer field this past week.  Here are a couple photos:

In this application, the goal is to create a sand cap similar to the research from Michigan State detailing the Spartan Sand Cap.

Will you be aerifying and topdressing your fields this fall?

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Bermudagrass for Fall Sports

As many of you know, this summer has been cool and overcast in many parts across the Midwest.  Fall sports are beginning and bermudagrass surfaces are just filling in if seeded and are trending a bit weaker than in years past due to the cool weather.

Below is a photo of the softball field at Butler University.  The Riviera bermudagrass was seeded in late May.  98%+  cover exists in this photo:

Furthermore, how does the SmartTurf staff monitor bermudagrass playability and wear tolerance?  A couple ways are through a shear strength tester and pulling cores from the playing surface.

First, a shear strength tester is used to monitor shear strength.  For cool season turf - 15-20 foot pounds is typical.  For bermudagrass 30-45 foot pounds is the standard.  This year, shear strength is closer to 30 ft lbs.  Last year, in the extreme heat, 45 ft lbs was seen across the Midwest.  Here is a photo prior to testing with the Turf-Tec Toma Shear Strength Tester.

Another method to monitor playability and wear tolerance is to monitor rooting and thatch depth of bermudagrass.  Too much thatch, the field was divot and shear strength will be low.  Too little thatch, the field will wear very quickly as all the play takes place on the stolons and crowns of the plant.  Here is a photo of a core sample taken today.

This bermudagrass field will play very well and demonstrates great shear strength.  It will wear relatively quickly due to a lack of thatch.

These are just a couple ways to monitor bermudagrass prior to fall play.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Weed Control for Baseball and Softball Infields and Warning Tracks

For the most part, high school and recreational baseball and softball seasons are coming to a close.  Typically field maintenance turns to football and soccer.  Next thing you know your infield looks like the one below:

One way to control weeds (most likely crabgrass and goosegrass) on infields and warning tracks is to apply a tank mixture of glyphosate and Sureguard.  Click HERE to see an earlier post on this topic.

The application will typically give you 80-90% control which is much better than having to remove an infield full of weeds in the fall or early spring.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer