AI Worthington Stadium College Diamond of the Year by Bob Tracinski

Christian, liberal arts college Lynchburg, Virginia, earn STMA / sportsTURF / Bea College Baseball Diamo Award. The field was b 1986 it was na former major coach. The fi tus can be of the athl tion, Johnso DaveP am IS veled and cal- ca top the pa in to Johnson nsisten- been built the universit , struction, but improvements. Th soil profile. They rem e

20 sports TURF • http://www.sportsturfonline.com tions to the program, and both alumni Conveyor belt pieces placed in the bat- and community support is strong. ter's boxes prevent holes. 'Carpeted' Features have been incorporated to fungo circles, on deck circles, coaching reduce both wear and maintenance. A boxes, and the circle around home- drag path runs from the storage area plate further cut maintenance. onto the third base side of the field. Johnson says, "Work has begun on Practice pitching mounds, installed a new baseball team restroom, coach- along the right and left field fences, ing area and indoor batting cages. duplicate the slope of the on-field We're also planning for an enclosed mound and hel p minimize wear. 's ." Obviously, keeping

The STMA,sportsTURF and Beam Clay introduce the 1997College Baseball Diamond of the Year: the field of AI Worthington Stadium on the campus of . Courtesy: Brock Van Faussien plugs of Vamont bermudagrass each June, then slice and mat drag it in. "We also sprig Vamont into the high wear areas. The Vamont plugs are pulled from our other fields to cut expenses. This provides a thicker bermudagrass base and a better look to the field. But during the harshest winters, we lose some, or even all of the Vamont." In early October, the field is core aerated in four directions. It's over- seeded with a blend of perennial rye- grasses and one bluegrass cuItivar. The crew applies seed at a rate of six lbs. per 1000 sq.ft. using a drill seeder. They set the blades at a one-inch depth and cross the field at 3D-degree angles. They drag in the cores and thatch, and remove excess material once the young plants emerge. Johnson notes, "We don't try to phase out the cool-season grasses, because we need to keep all of our options open for active growth in fall and spring. Our bermudagrasses don't begin active growth until mid to late May in a 'normal' year. "We mow almost every day during the growing season, using a triplex A: They are at "HQ; reel mower. We alternate directions at each mowing, and change the patterns frequently to keep the turf upright. Mowing height for play ranges WEST COAST between 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inches. If growth patterns allow, we drop to one- inch for a week or so once play ends to encourage the bermudagrasses." URF As a private school with a 'some- OWERS AND what limited' budget, the field-care TALLERS OF program must look to outside sources - IUMQUALITY not only for the 'extras,' but also for ND STOLONS many of the necessities. Johnson notes that some of the coaching staff and for- mer players with time in the Major P.O. Box 4563, Palm Desert, CA 92261' (800) 447-1840 Leagues have made significant dona- Call 1(800) 817-1889 use FastFax# 1140598 and/or Circle 114 on Postage Free Card

May 1998 21 top fields up to speed is an ongoing Bob Tracinski is manager of process. public relations for the John Deere Johnson adds, "Tomaintain any Company in Raleigh, NC, and is good facility takes a good working public relations co-chair for the relationship between the end user national Sports Turf Managers and the care providers. We have Association. that here, especially with baseball. The Beam Clay Baseball They understand that what we do Diarrwnd of the lear Awards are makes a difference and they appre- sponsored by the Sports Turf ciate it. The Al Worthington Managers Association, sportsTURF Stadium field is very important to Magazine, and Beam Clay. This is them and it's very important to the 12th year the Beam Clay us." Awards have beenpresented. Each Coach Pastors adds, "Success yea~ four Major League builds on itself. Each time field groundskeepers serve as judges. conditions improved, that became This year's judges were: Tom the standard to build beyond. The Farrell, Toronto Blue Jays (AL- award and the recognition it East); Barney Lopas, Anaheim brings present another set of chal- Players take an active role in maintaining the Angels (NL-West); Ralph lenges. To make the field worthy of award winning field. Many who are continuing Frangipani, the award, we need to maintain -their degree programs after completing four (NL-East); and Eric Hansen, Los and exceed the standards met to years of play join the daily maintenance crew Angeles Dodgers (NL-West). receive it - and we're all dedicated to remain involved. to making that happen." 0 Courtesy: Brock Van Faussien

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22 sports TURF • http://www.sportsturfonline.com Plan of Attack

The basic maintenance plan the second in May. The crew monitors for grubs and red Fertilization: The fertilization program and pH adjust- thread, and uses IPM methods with control products only ments are based on soil test results. Soil testing is done as needed. every three years. If problems arise, testing is done annu- ally. Fall fertilization is done three times a year, in September, October and November. The crew uses a 30% slow-release, complete fertilizer. They spread a total of 4 Mound and skinned area lbs. ofN per 1000 sq.ft. per year. Spring fertilization is done standard maintenance in March at the rate of 1/2 lb. of N per 1000 sq.ft. During the summer, light applications of nitrogen are Daily procedures: The bullpen, practice and on-field used to encourage the bermudagrasses. pitching mounds are reconditioned, as are the batting Aeration: Core aeration is performed once a month from boxes. The skinned area is dragged and watered, the warn- April through November. The crew covers the field in at ing track is dragged, and the infield turf bordering skinned least two directions each time. They verticut once each areas is swept to prevent lip build-up. summer, and use deep tine aeration every third year as Other procedures: Base lines and batter's boxes are compaction levels warrant. chalked for each game; also, the bases, homeplate and the Pest control: Split applications of Dimension herbicide pitching rubbers are painted for each game; foul lines are for pre emergent crabgrass control are used in conjunction painted as needed; and infield and warning track turf edges with a three-way broadleafherbicide, the first in March and are edged monthly.

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May 1998 23