Latest Bona news that has crossed my path.....

[FriendsofAN44]

Astroturf is coming to McGraw-Jennings Field !

An anonymous donor gave $1,000,000 to the baseball program and they will be installing a new, state of the art baseball surface at the end of the 2006 season. It is the same turf used in many NFL stadiums, including the Buffalo Bills stadium, and a few MLB ballparks.

New dugouts will also be constructed (and they will actually be "dug out"), which will provide much better sight lines for spectators. A plan to install bleachers was also proposed, but was shot down by the NYS Corps of Engineers, saying it would interfere with the flood control protection provided by the levee system.

And finally, on Wednesday, September 21, at the Pulaski Club in North Olean, the Bona basketball team will act as waiters for the Club's monthly dinner. This is just one of many community service things that Bona athletes will be taking part in this season and in the future.

I'l get complete information on the dinner (menu and price) and post it here when I do. Normally, they serve from 4:30 until sold out and they ALWAYS sell out ! Take-outs are also available.

[B02]

I assume you mean Field Turf not AstroTurf. Field Turf is regarded by some athletes as better than grass in its stabilitiy. Astro-turf on the other hand is very rough on the knees etc... This is great news for the Bonaventure baseball program.

[FriendsofAN44]

Right, something like that its called. Kind of a ground-up rubber base, that is extremely forgiving. The Indy Colts had the worst turf in football, and they just installed the same thing this season. Definitely top-notch stuff, and will really put McGraw-Jennings near the top of baseball fields in the A-10 in terms of quality.

[B02]

The big thing is that Coach sudbrook will be able to play almost a full schedule, something rare for Northeast baseball teams. That in itself will be great for the team as well as for recruiting.

[woof]

The Ralph Wilson Stadium surface is called AstroPlay. FieldTurf is similar; think that's what the Colts just installed. Both are infinitely better than the old indoor-outdoor rugs they were using.
Bills choose AstroPlay

I've been on the field at the Ralph a few times since the installation. The difference from the old turf is just incredible - for that first preseason game in 2003, the footing was almost too soft. (The rubber infill they use - mostly ground-up tires - takes a little time to pack down.) In regular sneakers, it felt just like walking on a good-quality carpet.
No waiting to see how much grass survived the winter. No more mowing. And, of course, field drainage should no longer be an issue....

The baseball team will have to do some trial-and-error to find the right spike length to use with it, but I think they'll be VERY happy with the change.