Christmas Day - Jasper Baseball and Ruxer Field

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I spent Christmas morning in my hometown of Jasper, IN. So, a morning walk led me to some old stomping grounds, Ruxer Field. Ruxer Field is home to the Jasper High School baseball program. Jasper has won 5 ISHAA baseball state titles. Ruxer Field has a capacity of 2,200 and hosts ISHAA tournaments on an annual basis. The surface is a blend of bermuda grass overseeded with ryegrass and tall fescue.

Another facility is the Jasper Baseball Fieldhouse. The fieldhouse, located down the right field line, has indoor batting cages, locker rooms, restrooms, and equipment storage.

To learn more about Jasper High School, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

University of Evansville

I spent this morning at the University of Evansville. Bob Dale, Grounds Supervisor, lead me on a tour of the baseball, soccer and softball facilities.

First, a photo of Braun Stadium. This baseball facility was completed in 2001 and has a bluegrass outfield surface and a Riviera bermuda grass infield surface

The next photo is from the soccer surface at UE. Arad McCutchan Stadium. The photo below shows the Riviera bermuda grass playing surface overseeded with 14 lbs per 1000 sq ft or ryegrass.

Finally, a photo of Cooper Stadium, home of the Lady Aces softball program.

A special thanks to Bob and his crew for the tour.

To learn more about Braun Stadium, click HERE.

To learn more about McCutchan Stadium, click HERE.

To learn more about Cooper Stadium, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Winter Education - 2011-12 - Vol 1 Infield Maintenance

The SmartTurf Blog is wrapping up the growing season as winter is setting in across the Midwest. From time to time I will post on projects from the past year and other topical information, but the goal with the blog over the next 3 months will be a focus on education. I will write pieces on the blog as well as sharing sites with additional information on maintaining and constructing athletic fields.

The first item in this series relates to infield maintenance. I published an article in Sports Field Management Magazine in September of this year. Click HERE to see the article.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Purdue Baseball - Alexander Field

Last week, I stopped by Purdue University to take a look at the new baseball field. Alexander Field will be the new home of the Boilers. The sod was shipped in from Tuckahoe in New Jersey and the infield mix is Dura Edge Pro from Natural Sand Company.

Here are a couple of photos

Look for additional posts on this project in 2012!

To learn more about Purdue Baseball, click HERE.

To learn more about Natural Sand, click HERE.

To learn more about Tuckahoe Turf Farms, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

2011 OTF

The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation held their annual education and trade show event the last three days. J&D Turf had a booth at the event. Here are a couple of photos.

The stage on the trade show floor:

Next, a photo from the trade show floor:

To learn more about the OTF, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Now is the Time to Apply Snow Mold Fungicides

As the winter weather approaches, please make the decision to apply or not apply snow mold protection. To learn more about snow mold and the preventative measures, click on the links below.

Click HERE for the Purdue information on snow mold.

Click HERE for the Ohio State info on snow mold.

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

Play on!
--Jamie

Indiana State - Sod Complete

The sodding project at Bob Warn Field at ISU was completed last week. Here are a few photos:

As you can see, the decision to use "standard" small roll sod was made at the last minute. Why? Recent, persistent rains after the native soil rootzone was laser graded provided a surface that was prone to possible damage from the larger equipment necessary for "big roll" sod. Furthermore, the installation of "standard" cut sod was one day quicker than the "big roll" option. Needless to say, the sod was installed right before another rain.

The future plan: A starter fertilizer was applied and the sod was rolled with a 1 1/2 ton duel drum roller. The field will be topdressed with 50 tons of USGA rootzone sand. Opening Day - March 6, 2012.

To learn more about ISU Baseball, click HERE.

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

Play on!
--Jamie