30-day project scheduled to be completed by mid-January
Dec. 18, 2007
The Lamar University athletic department began an extensive renovation
project to the playing surface at Vincent-Beck Stadium on Monday.
The basepaths, the natural grass infield and adjacent areas in foul
territory are being replaced by a synthetic artificial turf that will
require less maintenance and play at the same speed as the previous
surface. The only dirt still in use will be on the pitching mound.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed by mid-January, costs $250,000.
"We're extremely excited to have Field Turf being installed to the
infield at Vincent-Beck Stadium," said Jim Gilligan, who is embarking
on his 31st season as the Cardinals coach. "We've seen this type of
playing surface first hand. It looks great and is easy to play on. It
will give us more true hops on the infield, which should improve our
fielding.
"I would have never wanted to put in AstroTurf because that playing
surface was way too hard and I didn't consider it to be a very good
for baseball. This looks like grass and plays like grass. This surface
is actually very cost-effective and will pay for itself over a 10-year
period with the reduced maintenance."
Some of the reduced maintenance items include less mowing, fertilizer,
grass seed and Diamond Dry. The field will have a 10-inch base
material comprised of various sizes of pebbles and sand with the
actual turf measuring 1-and-one-fourth inches deep.
In addition to the current squad reaping the benefits of the field,
the surface is expected to be a big recuiting tool to future
student-athletes.
"This will also give us a recruiting advantage. As other schools in
the area continue to improve their facilities, it was important for us
to keep up. No other college in the region has the type a playing
surface of this kind, so it gives us a unique advantage."
Lamar opens the 2008 season Feb. 22 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
at the Citrus Tournament hosted by Texas-Pan American.