Similar to the surface at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Ahearn Fund members’ participation and support allowed the department to replace the entire surface at Frank Myers Field at Tointon Family Stadium as the installation of the AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 infill system was completed this fall.
Turf Installation Photo Galleries:
-- July 20, 2011
-- July 27, 2011
-- August 4, 2011
-- August 11, 2011
-- September 1, 2011
-- September 7, 2011
-- September 15, 2011
The new infill turf was installed over the entire field, replacing not only the artificial infield and warning track areas that were constructed in 2006, but the natural grass outfield and bullpen areas, as well. Even the home plate area - formerly a surface built of clay - is covered with the infill product, leaving only the pitcher's mound unchanged. The project will keep K-State's baseball program at the forefront of infill field technology while maximizing the opportunities to practice and play games in all weather conditions.
While carrying the same name - AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 - as the newly installed infill artificial surface at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, K-State Associate Athletics Director Casey Scott said, "The blade is a little different than the football field but has the same special 'thatch base' that allows the sand and rubber to settle deeper into the turf."
With the exception of the clay pitcher's mound, the rest of the field will be covered by the artificial surface, which includes the batter's box and the outfield that have been clay and natural grass, respectively.
In addition, the bullpen areas will be covered by AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60, plus a more durable artificial surface will be put in the batting cages off the left field line.
"The AstroTurf product will allow us to take advantage of outdoor practice at all times of the year," head coach Brad Hill said. "The hope is that this will be one of the best playing surfaces in the conference for the next several years."
