[jbock13]

Isn't the weather always a good excuse for everything? No here's a better idea... schedule projects so that there's gap of a month should you need it!

[BJWilliams]

That's the nice thing about the JFL (Jerry Falwell Library) project is the fact that by putting its completion around end of 2013, they had enough time to where even with the weather maladies we have had since they broke ground early last year, they still are very much on track to be done in time for it to be usable in 2014

[jinxy]

The weather was great the vast majority of time this project has been going. It barely rained until the last week. Either it wasnt started soon enough or the construction company is slow or alterations were discovered or made during the process

[flamehunter]

Has anyone confirmed that it is behind schedule? Pictures alone don't tell the whole story. Just because we don't think it looks like it is far enough along, doesn't mean it won't be ready to play come opening day. Like someone said earlier, the plan all along was to have the field and dugouts ready for the game. I don't necessarily see a problem with that...yet.

[bigsmooth]

agree with flamehunter. all that needs to be ready is the field, dugouts, roof above the seats, bolting in the seats and the restrooms. that can certainly be done in the amount of time left.

[PAmedic]

add fencing. lotsa fencing.

and the batters eye.

via cameras it does look like they are pretty close on finish grading the gravel surface tho

I'd imagine the turf will go relatively quick

[PAmedic]

+ JB posted a pic of railings being installed so check that one off.... phew

[Wilberforce91]

Latest Liberty Champion article on the new stadium; not much in the way of news, but a good overview nonetheless. http://www.libertychampion.com/2013/01/ ... raws-near/

[Cider Jim]

Part of the outfield fence went up today. And who needs a roof right away? And bolted-in seats? As long as we have turf and an outfield fence, we should be good to go!

[bigsmooth]

Do you want to sit on concrete Jim?? Besides i believe you need seats installed to get a occupancy permit.

[Cider Jim]

I've got a nice stadium chair I can use.

[krh44]

They were out there working fast and furious tonight at 730. It is cold here in the Burg!!

[PAmedic]

more from @LUADJeff

[PAmedic]

looks like rolls of turf to me...

just depends if they can get that stone all spread before J-BOKs blizzard hits

[PAmedic]

@LUADjeff confirming playing surface is "all turf" with brown colored infield, only dirt will be the pitcher's mound.

a quick check online showed similar layouts at Wichita State and Vanderbuilt

looks ok

[PAmedic]

nice interview of Vandy's coach last fall when their turf was installed. Intresting comments @ bunting

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[adam42381]

I'm not sure about the all turf idea. From what I've read, sliding can be very tricky. Apparently guys have been known to slide 6+ feet past the bag if they begin their slides where they normally would on dirt. Also read some concerns about guys not being able to dig in to the batter's box.

[CajunFlame]

I'm not sure about the all turf idea. From what I've read, sliding can be very tricky. Apparently guys have been known to slide 6+ feet past the bag if they begin their slides where they normally would on dirt. Also read some concerns about guys not being able to dig in to the batter's box.

Sounds like home-field advantage to me.

[thepostman]

I hate not having real dirt. Not a fan at all

[SuperJon]

At least our uniforms will stay clean.

[bigsmooth]

looks like rolls of turf to me...

just depends if they can get that stone all spread before J-BOKs blizzard hits

yes shorty, that is indeed rolls of turf and despite the little bit of snow, the contractors are hard at work today.

[mlschubert]

I like the idea of grass .. but I was recently reminded by our coach that this improves our practice time and eliminates the field prep work that our team would get pulled into. I think the choice makes sense based on our climate/geography - we need to be on the field as early and as often as possible.

[bigsmooth]

i would prefer a dirt infield and batters box, but if schools like vandy and wichita state are doing it which are top quality programs, i have to assume its not a bad idea.

[jbock13]

Come on, even Tropicana Field has real infield dirt!

Anyways I'm excited to see all this come to reality. As critical as it seems I am even though I don't mean to be.

[bigsmooth]

I spoke with one who is very reliable and vested in the project and the turf will take three weeks to install. The seats will arrive toward the end of next week and that is a two week install. So it will literally be very close to the 22nd for this to be ready but it will be done.