R
enovation of a baseball field at the amateur,
collegiate, or professional level can be a daunt-
ing and expensive task. However, when the
condition or appearance of a field warrants a
"makeover," dollars should be secondary to
player safety, and at the professional level, the overall aesthetics
of the playing surface.
In the fall of 2012, Parkview Field in downtown Fort
Wayne, IN home of the San Diego Padres Class A affili-
ate Fort Wayne TinCaps, was the site for a complete field
renovation. Constructed in the fall of 2008 for a spring 2009
opening, the field was dominated by poa annua. Despite win-
ning Midwest League Field of the Year awards in 2010, 2011,
and 2012, the front office, field manager, and city officials (the
ballpark is owned by the City of Fort Wayne), agreed that field
replacement was necessary.
Planning for the project actually begin a year earlier as The
Motz Group, the original field contractor, was contacted in
regards to a replacement schedule. Pre-renovation planning
is paramount in paving the way for a smooth, efficient, and
cost-effective agenda. First and foremost, the dollars need
to be allocated to do the work. Most complete field renova-
Field Science | By Keith Winter
Renovating
Parkview Field in Fort Wayne
16 SportsTurf | October 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com
