Spotlight Installations

If You “Re”Build It, They Will Come

Posted by duraedgeblog on
WRITTEN BY: DARIN KAIN

What happens when an iconic baseball field, like the one used in the movie Field of Dreams, is damaged due to vandalism? You help rebuild it of course.

In the Sports Turf industry, if your neighbor needs help, you help. That’s exactly what happened on Monday April 16th 2018 when staff, owners, and representatives from several area teams and businesses spent a cold and windy day repairing the damage caused at the site cherished by baseball, softball, and movie fans alike.

In the early morning hours of January 23rd 2018, a 20-year-old man drove his truck onto the field located outside of Dyersville, Iowa during unseasonably wet and soft conditions. Damaged with tire ruts were the infield grass, infield skin, base paths, outfield grass, and pitching mound. Also possibly damaged was the irrigation system, although that is yet to be determined–it will be examined more thoroughly when weather permits.

Once the Minor League Baseball office in Florida got wind of the damage they decided to organize their local affiliates: the Iowa Cubs, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Clinton Lumberkings and Quad City River Bandits to donate their time and expertise to help with repairs. Also joining the voluntary and professional work force were DuraEdge Territory Manager and Agronomist Darin Kain, members of Bush Turf, Iowa Cubs Sports Turf, local volunteers and area high school and college players. In all there were in excess of 50 people diligently and carefully braving the inclement conditions to bring the field back to life.

 

By nightfall, the infield grass had been cut out, replaced with backfill soil, and sodded. Bases were reset, the pitcher’s mound and home plate had been rebuilt with DuraEdge Classic infield mix and DuraPitch Premium mound clay donated by DuraEdge, and measurements were taken to make sure all improvements were done to field specifications.

Next to be completed at a later date will be infield skin laser grading, irrigation inspection, and repair (if needed), as well as filling in of ruts in the outfield grass.

Everybody who contributed to this project felt it a duty and opportunity to be involved with the restoration of such an iconic location beloved by so many.

As one volunteer stated; “It’s an honor and privilege to be able to participate in a project such as this, anybody who loves baseball and the game has some kind of feelings for Field of Dreams. I remember watching it as a younger man and it feels very special to be here and rebuild it so more people can continue to come.”

If you “re”build it, they will come. Eased its pain. Went the distance.

For more coverage of this story:

 

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One Comment Add yours

  1. allstarmounds says:
    December 29, 2020 at 11:13 am

    nice post!!

    Like

    Reply

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