Top 3 Blog Posts of 2015 - Roll Those Infields!

So, here it is, the #1 viewed blog post of 2015!  Roll Those Infields was a hot topic as infields begin to escape the winter weather this past spring.  Look for additional posts in 2016.  Cheers!  Happy New Year!

Spring is slowly arriving. Many coaches are pushing to get on their infields as soon as possible. 
Regardless of the infield mix, the material will frost heave over the winter. So, you must roll your infield in the spring, ideally before you have any traffic on your infield. Now, the questions are When, Why, and How?

When:
1. You will want to roll you infield when there is still moisture in the mix, but the mix is not too wet. When is this? When you can walk across the infield and you settle the frost heave, but there is no material sticking to the bottom of your shoes. Roll the conditioner and mix in multiple passes

Why:
1. Rolling accomplishes a couple of goals. First, it settles your infield so your mix will hold its grade and you will not have your conditioner/topdressing migrate into your base material. Also, the infield mix will also be firmer. This will allow for the ball to play down and true from the beginning of the season.

How:
1. It is best to roll with a 3 ton duel drum roller. What is this? Click HERE to find out. If you can't get a 3 ton roller, any roller is better than not rolling at all. 

Remember, roll your infield as often as possible with a small pull behind roller as well all spring until the weather moderates. 

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Top 3 Blog Posts of 2015 - Ball State University Synthetic Turf - REPLACED After 8 Years - Let's Do the Math

The IndyStar posted an article today on the replacement of synthetic turf football playing surface at Ball State University.

Let's do a little simple math:

Cost to install - $750,000

Cost of ownership per year for 8 years - $93,750.00
Maintenance of surface per year - $10,000.00

Total cost per year for the past 8 years - $103,750.00

Cost for replacement - $386,141.00


Cost of ownership per year for 8 years - $48,267.63
Maintenance of surface per year - $10,000.00

Cost per year for next 8 years - 58,267.63

Average Cost PER YEAR for the first 16 years of the plastic surface - $81,008.81

A question - HOW IS THAT CHEAPER THAN A NATURAL GRASS SURFACE?

Answer - IT IS NOT CHEAPER - Most High Schools spend $10,000 - $20,000 per year to maintain a football field.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Top 3 Blog Posts of 2015 - Ole Miss Football - Back to Natural Grass in 2016

As the final 3 days of 2015 come to a close, I figured it would be a good time to review the top 3 most viewed blog posts of 2015.  So, here we go.

#3 - Ole Miss Football - Back to Natural Grass in 2016


In case you missed it, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on the campus of Ole Miss will be removing their synthetic surface and replacing it with natural grass for the 2016 season.  The playing surface was transitioned from natural grass to synthetic in 2003.  The field was replaced with another synthetic field in 2009.  Athletics director Ross Bjork's comments are HERE. 

Head Coach Hugh Freeze's comments are HERE.  Note the 130 degree comment!

Photo Courtesy  - replayphotos.com

Will this be the first of many to convert back to grass, or will this be an exception?  Based on practice trends I am seeing at all levels, I think this will be the first of many.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

Michigan Turfgrass Conference

Check your calendars for January 7, 2016.  If available, consider attending the Michigan Turfgrass Conference.  I will be presenting Do's and Don't of Athletic Field Maintenance on January 7.  Amy Fouty from Michigan State will also be presenting on the new DuraEdge heated infields at MSU among other topics on the agenda. A great day of sports turf discussion.

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

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer

#LifeOnTheRoad - Tricks of the Trade - Circle Stencil

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.

During my travels to Citi Field (New York, NY) and Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA) the past month I observed an easy and effective way to paint circles.  Fielding circles are needed for cricket.  What is a quick and easy way to paint circles?  Simply cut out the bottom of the Dubble Bubble bucket.  Instant circle stencil with sides to prevent over spray. To top it off, carry the bucket/stencil around your field on a tray to eliminate any drips as you walk the surface.

Credit goes to the New York Mets Grounds Crew for the idea.  Innovation can come in many, and sometime simple ways!

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

Should I Condition My Infield Over the WInter?

The short answer - YES!  Why?  Conditioner will allow for the infield to be rolled quicker in the spring thus allowing for earlier play.  Will the material blow around the infield over the winter?  Yes, but the benefit of the conditioner is worth the risk.

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

Play on!
--Jamie
@JamieMehringer

#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