Aug. 8, 2005
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - In the last week of July, work began on refurbishing of the infield on Alumni Diamond, the home of the Fairfield University baseball team. Workers from Championship Turf Services of Harwinton, Conn., dug up the infield to install a new drainage and sprinkler systems, as well as rebuilding the pitcher's mound and home plate areas.
Earlier this week, work will begin on installing the irrigation system, and then shift to laying down the sod, which should take approximately four weeks to set. The laying of sod should take about two days.
New clay on the base paths, as well as the mound and home plate will also be installed, and the field should be ready for the beginning of fall practice in the Middle of September.
 Alumni Diamond  |
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"I think the overall playing conditions and maintenance will improve greatly," baseball Head Coach John Slosar said. "The first and third foul territories had to be addressed from a game situation and drainage standpoint. Now from dugout to dugout it will be level. The improvements of the field, are going to be something that players, coaches, and the grounds crew are going to be happy with."
Once completed, the project will give the infield a truer play, as well as improved maintenance prior to games, and will enhance the ambiance of Alumni Diamond.
Also slated for improvements, are the removal of the pathways from the dugouts to home plate, the leveling off of the batters box and home plate, and the pitchers mound will be rebuilt with packing clay.
The infield will also have a striking resemblance to the one at Yankee Stadium with cutouts at the bases and at home plate.
Alumni Diamond has a seating capacity for nearly 1,000 fans behind home plate and along the baselines. The field dimensions are 330 feet down the lines, and 400 to centerfield, and 370 to the power alleys.
 Home plate area at Alumni Diamond |
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