Construction Photos of New Indoor Facility:

[gorillashocker]

I could see it being difficult for a center fielder to track a ground ball or bouncing line drive as it moves across Wu.

I thought about this too, but with the centerfielder standing near the top of the logo usually, he would be in front of the logo for most ground balls before they got to him, at least i would think that is the case.

I can see it of more of a disadvantage for opponents as you are running down a line drive and you see the different colors in your periphials. hopefully our guys would be used to it and we could get a couple of errors on the opposing team

[RoyalShock]

I could see it being difficult for a center fielder to track a ground ball or bouncing line drive as it moves across Wu.

I thought about this too, but with the centerfielder standing near the top of the logo usually, he would be in front of the logo for most ground balls before they got to him, at least i would think that is the case.

I can see it of more of a disadvantage for opponents as you are running down a line drive and you see the different colors in your periphials. hopefully our guys would be used to it and we could get a couple of errors on the opposing team

I don't know, I think a hard hit ball will get to Wu before the fielder can get past him. Especially on a sinking line drive.

But with our guys being able to practice on it that should provide somewhat of an advantage.

[ShockBand]

They're hard at work on it today, as I can tell via the webcam feed. The new "dirt" turf is being put in, and while it is still dark, at least it does look like wet dirt as was apparently desired. Looks like the warning track up around the infield will be black, but that doesn't bother me. No warning track installed in the outfield yet that I can see.

[WuDrWu]

They were at it around 7am this morning, if the webcam was accurate, which I thought was interesting. They must be getting close to the deadline.

[Veritas]

Another question for the outfield experts. Does a warning track have a different feel on the feet when running off the grass onto the gravel, dirt, etc...? Thus it keeps the outfielder focused on the ball and not the track or wall.
Will the new field have a different feel on the warning track as well?

[ShockBand]

Another question for the outfield experts. Does a warning track have a different feel on the feet when running off the grass onto the gravel, dirt, etc...? Thus it keeps the outfielder focused on the ball and not the track or wall.
Will the new field have a different feel on the warning track as well?

It is supposed to feel different under the feet yes. Whether a lower pile rug (berber? :) ) is enough to tell the difference when you leave the shag rug of the outfield, well, I don't know. Guess we'll have to wait until next Saturday and the public open house on the new digs to find out.

I did see on some of the photos on goshockers.com that they were cutting into the field to insert the graphic pieces. For Wu out in center, that is a lot of slicin' and dicin'.

[PCDShocker]

I like the way this is starting to look. They may use a different type of infill on the infield dirt and warning track to give it more of a realistic dirt feel. I know they can use a blend of sand and rubber, whereas the outfield is probably all rubber infill. My understanding is the the knap on the infield dirt and warning track are also suppose to be shorter than the outfield. Once they cut in the contrasting lighter brown for the batters box and base paths next spring, this field will look great.

[ShockerFever]

I'm really liking this setup more and more each day.

:posterwsu:

[Veritas]

Another question for the outfield experts. Does a warning track have a different feel on the feet when running off the grass onto the gravel, dirt, etc...? Thus it keeps the outfielder focused on the ball and not the track or wall.
Will the new field have a different feel on the warning track as well?

It is supposed to feel different under the feet yes. Whether a lower pile rug (berber? :) ) is enough to tell the difference when you leave the shag rug of the outfield, well, I don't know. Guess we'll have to wait until next Saturday and the public open house on the new digs to find out.

I did see on some of the photos on goshockers.com that they were cutting into the field to insert the graphic pieces. For Wu out in center, that is a lot of slicin' and dicin'.

Thanks. Let me know how it feels. The field is looking GREAT!

[shockmonster]

Veritas, You obviously know a lot about the innerworkings of the Athletic Department. I can tell from your analysis that you know many aspects of the job the AD is doing that the average fan doesn't know about, so you are probably a big donor. Anyway since you are keeping scores and grades on the AD, shouldn't you give him a happy face for the baseball facility thus far? You seem to be happy with that part of his job too and it should be mentioned.

[Veritas]

Veritas, You obviously know a lot about the innerworkings of the Athletic Department. I can tell from your analysis that you know many aspects of the job the AD is doing that the average fan doesn't know about, so you are probably a big donor. Anyway since you are keeping scores and grades on the AD, shouldn't you give him a happy face for the baseball facility thus far? You seem to be happy with that part of his job too and it should be mentioned.

Don't take my concerns about the AD too much to heart. In fairness to ADES, he's not been on the job too long and has pretty big shoes to fill in replacing JS. I do think I bring up legitimate questions on many snafus under his watch, and as I wrote on a the Grading Post, I am concerned, but cautiously optimistic.

However, if ADES was/is responsibile for the new field then I shall certainly give a happy face and a symbolic pat on the back to ADES. :D

[SB Shock]

Anyway since you are keeping scores and grades on the AD, shouldn't you give him a happy face for the baseball facility thus far?

I suspect that the indoor baseball facility and the re-carpeting of Eck field is because of the fund-raising and drive of Gene Stephenson himself. I could be wrong, but I'm basing that on that Stephenson has pretty much had to do everything himself for the program. Maybe things have changed with the new AD.

[Shirley Schmidt]

I suspect that the indoor baseball facility and the re-carpeting of Eck field is because of the fund-raising and drive of Gene Stephenson himself. I could be wrong, but I'm basing that on that Stephenson has pretty much had to do everything himself for the program. Maybe things have changed with the new AD.

My good friend has hit the nail on the head with these comments.

:yahoo:

[xazshox]

Fund Raising

Gene S was not responsible for the fund raising project for the indoor facility. That came out of the Athletic Dept office. Being a contributor, I used to talk to Gary Cundiff about it after the effort was initiated to find out the status of it.

[shock10]

The dirt infield looks really good in the sun light. The field looks great.