October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - Victory Field - III

A number of photos as the work continues at Victory Field.......

First, a couple of photos as the infield mix is edged and readied for the next to last finish grade. the infield is now graded in a cone with .5% fall.

Next, a look of the sand based rootzone interfacing with the warning track.

Finally, A high look of the field late last night......

Look for more photos in the next couple of days......

Play on!
--Jamie

October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - Victory Field - II

We have been at Victory Field for almost a week. I thought I would take some time to explain the project and the plan of attack. Victory Field is a sand based surface that was last re-resodded after the 2003 season. I was the Head Groundskeeper at the time of the 2003 renovation and worked with Nolan Thomas and Co. to produce a successful product. The field aged well, but with all sand based fields, organic material builds along the soil surface and the field begins to seal off and drainage slows. So, another resod project is in order. Why is the infield and the foul territory areas the only areas renovated this fall? Stay tuned for that info, but it has to do with a relatively large event that takes place each winter........

With that said, back to the project. Here are a number of photos:

First, a shot of the rootzone after 4 inches of organic material has been removed. The J&D turf crew along with Nolan Thomas and the Indians staff handled over 400 tons of organic material and 400 tons of new rootzone sand on Thursday and Friday last week.

Next, a photo of the field before the infield mix is placed. Notice the crews have been owrking from 7 AM to 7:30 PM.

GPS guided dozer pushing the infield mix back across the infield.

Look for more posts this week as the mound and plate is installed, edges formed, and the rootzone is prepped for sod.

Click HERE, to learn more about Victory Field.

CLick HERE, to learn more about Nolan Thomas and Co.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

October is the Month for Baseball Field Renovations - Victory Field

This month, J&D Turf will be renovating a number of baseball fields across the midwest. First stop, Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians. Look for a more detailed post later this week, but I wanted to post a quick photo of the beginning of the project.

GPS is not only used for cars.......

Play on!
--Jamie

Infield Mix Maintenance Article

Please follow the link HERE for the Sept 2011 infield mix article written by myself for SportsField Management Magazine.

Play on!
--Jamie

Three Fields Around Indiana

A quick post from my visits to three fields late last week.

First, a shot of the end zone at Ross-Ade Stadium at Purdue. This Riveria bermudagrass surface has been overseeded and is preparing for the big game with Notre Dame this week.

Next, to IU and Armstrong Stadium. This Patriot bermudagrass was just overseeded this past week. The soccer "pitch" is home to the #7 ranked Hoosiers.

Finally, Brownsburg HS, the playing surface of the Bulldogs consists of a mixture of bluegrass and ryegrass.

Click HERE, to learn more about Purdue Athletics.
Click HERE, to learn more about IU Athletics.
Click HERE, to learn more about Brownsburg Athletics.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Fall is the Time to Renovate Turf Areas

If your spring sport fields are thin, now is the time to renovate the turf areas. To keep it simple, follow the simple steps of.

Aerify:

Overseed:

Topdress:

Click HERE to see a great in depth article that supports these steps from The Ohio State University Turfgrass Science Program.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Tall Fescue for Football?

This question is posed on a frequent basis..... Below is a photo of a irrigated football field that was taken yesterday. Is fescue an option for this field?

My answer is no. Why? Click HERE for the answer from Purdue.

Play on!
--Jamie