IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE
20 SportsTurf | September 2016 www.sportsturfonline.com
FIELD SCIENCE
of natural grass playing surfaces. Lots of "wouldn't it be
cool if … or wouldn't it be neat if we could … " and then
one day I was fortunate enough to have that conversation
with a couple people who shared the same vision and the
ability to make that vision a reality.
For many people who know me, they know this:
I am very conservative when it comes to managing and
maintaining grass. We perform tried and true practices and
use products that have demonstrated that same consistency
over the years.
However, as a Land
Grant University and
agriculturally grounded
institution, we do
explore technology,
and from time to time
we push the realm of
what is considered
normal. This was one
of those times and is
what keeps me excited
about being a turf grass
professional at MSU.
■ BY AMY J. FOUTY, CSFM
I
n the spring of 2016 the Michigan State softball and
baseball programs had a new option for spring practices
in February — taking the field, rather than the normal
northern climate indoor hitting/pitching facility or field
houses. Having the ability to go outside, take ground balls
and see the ball come off the mound or out of the pitching
circle was unheard of in February here in East Lansing. On
January 29, 2016,
the first day of spring
practice for baseball,
I was standing with
the coaches watching
batting practice, seeing
just that.
HOW DID WE GET
TO THIS POINT?
In 2014, it all began
with a conversation
standing on the field
talking about the future
INFIELD HEATING SYSTEM:
1ST SEASON AT MICHIGAN STATE
