[The Judge]

We installed a complete turf field this year and practiced all fall on it. We also had our first full week of practice on it January 7th through tthe 12th. All in Michigan mind you. The weather was warm ( 46 to 50 and there was 4 inches of snow everywhere else outside the stadium. Was kind of surreal. We have found that it plays somewhat slower than we thought it would. The manufacturer said it takes about a year for the sand and rubber mix to completley settle in. The maintenance is minimal. The areas around home and 2nd need the most attention...but that takes all of 8 to 10 minutes start to finish. Then once a month you use a groomer that has brushes and metal teeth which re-mix the sand and rubber and sets it down evenly. The field always looks like a million bucks. Biggest issue is having a second infield with grass and dirt to give your players practice time for bad hops. There are none on turf !

We love it !

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the valuable intel, The Judge. Most of us haven't been sure what to think regarding the surface. Your ballpark looks fantastic in pics but I hadn't noticed the all turf infield. And the practice on dirt for infielders is something that had not even occurred to me. Thanks!

[BJWilliams]

Was riding into church this morning and saw some workers on the roof. Here's hoping they can get that done in the next couple weeks

[PAmedic]

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.

in the interview w/ Vandy's coach- he talked about the importance of practicing on the field to get used to the speed and the way the ball reacts. like several WEEKS of practice.

I'm betting Toman is NOT happy @ jumping right on a brand new surface with no time to get accustomed to it.

on the other hand, I'm sure he's thrilled to have a new place... so kinda catch-22

[bigsmooth]

No doubt shorty. Hopefully they will get a few days to try it out before penn state comes to town

[PAmedic]

movin lotsa stone today and apparently lights too...

from @libertybaseball

[ballcoach15]

I visited new stadium Sunday afternoon. Still lot of work to do, but if weather cooperates, I think they can get it ready in time.

[AeroLU08]

construction progress on the baseball field and football practice field.

[Sly Fox]

Somewhere in Pennsylvania a police officer just spazzed out in his patrol car at the sight of this pic on his walkie-talkie phone.

Awesome pic! When was this one taken?

[BJWilliams]

one more section of roof panels looks like (plus seating and installing the field

[AeroLU08]

Somewhere in Pennsylvania a police officer just spazzed out in his patrol car at the sight of this pic on his walkie-talkie phone.

Awesome pic! When was this one taken?

Today! (Jan. 29th)

[ballcoach15]

Great photo Aero

[flamehunter]

BJ - Where are they installing the field (I assume you mean the turf)? I only see shadow from the roof.

[Sly Fox]

Somewhere in Pennsylvania a police officer just spazzed out in his patrol car at the sight of this pic on his walkie-talkie phone.

Awesome pic! When was this one taken?

Today! (Jan. 29th)

That's what I assumed but wanted to be sure. That is obviously a much better view than we get from the webcams.

[BJWilliams]

They arent in the shot just posted flamehunter but I was talking about what needs to be done based on the aerial view. to get it done for the Penn State series

[flamehunter]

Gotcha. Thanks

[bigsmooth]

The first pieces of turf were being put down when i drove by shortly after five.

[PAmedic]

NICE. I'm starting to believe

thx @LUADjeff

[PAmedic]

more from JB

[PAmedic]

JB crackin' the whip... the guys are out there sewing as we speak

[01LUGrad]

They are sewing our baseball field together. Ugh. I'm still having a hard time with the turf idea. Maybe they can put some Glade Plug-in's with Real Grass scent out there so it feels like Spring when you are in the stands.

[flamehunter]

No more John Deere Gator dragging the infield. That's just un-American.

[PAmedic]

a good part of right-center field turf down now...


starting to look like something

20 days and counting

[PAmedic]

wonder if they can "stripe" it like normal grass? at least some cool pattern or something

[Cider Jim]

I drove by the stadium this morning at 8:30, and that's exactly what I saw: 19 degrees outside and a bunch of construction guys in hard hats laying out and stitching down the turf.

Even got the post card in the mail this week about ticket prices: $5 for a single game, $50 for season tickets ($40 for faculty), and $30 for seniors. They aren't using the "Worthington" name any more but are simply calling it "Liberty Baseball Stadium."