Dec. 18, 2007

Photo Gallery - 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 Olympia 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.