THE ISSUE: In an effort to provide the ultimate baseball experience for players and fans alike, the Buffalo Bisons’ ownership made $4 million of improvements in the offseason to the team’s home at Coca-Cola Field. Among the changes were the replacement of its natural grass field and the installation of new drainage and automated irrigation systems. These were the first major upgrades to the field since it was built in 1988.
THE JOB: The crew from Sports Construction Group began the two-month face lift on the field by excavating the diamond and outfield to a depth of up to 16 inches. This required the hauling out of 600 truckloads of dirt. Then, the old drainage system was removed. Once this was completed, the SCG crew installed the new vertical, sand-based drainage system. Allowing for up to 10 inches of rainwater to be drained per hour, it will help to shorten rain delays and minimize rainouts. It was then covered with four inches of pea gravel, the new irrigation system and 10 inches of sand. |
Finally, SCG put on the finishing touch by laser grading the newly constructed infield and warning track, and installing 94,700 square feet of fresh Kentucky Blue Grass, a blend designed specifically for professional baseball fields.
THE RESULTS: “This new system allows us to provide the highest level of baseball and entertainment that our great fans have come to expect with the Bisons baseball experience,” said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Bisons. |