Wichita State removes Astroturf

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One of the best moves in College Baseball over the last few years is the removal of Astroturf to either grass or fieldturf surfaces. Wichita State joins the crowd as they are ripping up the old Astroturf at Eck Stadium in favor of a new fieldturf surface. The renovations are currently underway as part of a 3.7 million dollar improvement to the Wichita State Baseball program which also includes a new practice facility. The full press release is available below with photos of the construction.

 

FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State University announced today that AstroTurf® has been selected to install its GameDay Grass™ system for the complete field turf replacement at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field and the new Bombardier Learjet Indoor Practice Facility. The announcement was made jointly by AstroTurf President Bryan Peeples and WSU Head Baseball Coach Gene Stephenson. 

“It is an honor to have once again been selected by Wichita State and Coach Stephenson,” said AstroTurf President Bryan Peeples.  “To continue our relationship with one of the most successful, elite Division I baseball programs in the nation is a testament to our products and our people.”

Built in 1978, the Shockers’ baseball team has played every home game on an AstroTurf branded synthetic turf surface on the infield at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field. 2010 will be the first season that the Shockers play on a state-of-the-art infilled system from AstroTurf, and the first time the entire field will be surfaced by AstroTurf.

The Building Excellence for the Student-Athlete project was first announced in November 2007 to provide WSU student-athletes a place to condition and practice during inclement weather.

The total Phase I cost of $3.7 million includes the 29,000 square foot Bombardier Learjet Practice Facility, which features a full-size GameDay Grass infield and retractable batting cages, and the AstroTurf branded synthetic turf surface to be installed on the entire field at Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field.

“Having played on nearly every synthetic turf system available, the decision of GameDay Grass from AstroTurf was an easy one,” said Wichita State Head Coach Gene Stephenson. “Our players are excited about the upgrades at Eck Stadium as well as the new Bombardier Learjet Practice Facility and we believe that the new turf systems from AstroTurf will give us a significant edge.”

In 32 seasons at WSU, Gene Stephenson has compiled a 1,683-577-3 (.744) record. He has the second most wins among active coaches, and ranks second all time in career victories. Under his leadership, the Shockers have made it to seven College World Series, with NCAA tournament appearances in 27 of the last 30 seasons, highlighted by a CWS Championship in 1989.

“Eck Stadium and the new Bombardier Learjet Practice Facility are among the finest collegiate baseball facilities in the nation,” said Mark West, AstroTurf Director of Sales for the Central Region.  “AstroTurf is proud to help continue to the legacy that Coach Stephenson has built at Wichita State for many years to come.”
Work on the project has begun with an expected completion date at approximately the end of September, weather permitting, for the outdoor portion of the project, and the end of October for the indoor portion, according to West.