Installation of a new infield at TVA Credit Union Ballpark continues, marking progress for the latest upgrade at the home of the Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie; Appalachian League).
The past 12 months or so have been a busy time for the Cardinals. Boyd Sports, which owns the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League), took over management of the team last January. That set into motion a series of changes, including a naming rights agreement with TVA Credit Union and various ballpark upgrades.
The upgrades proved to be a hit. In perhaps the most notable decision, the Cardinals added The Perch, a beer garden and group space that was honored with one of our Best Ballpark Improvement awards for 2016.
Now work is taking place on the playing surface. With this project, TVA Credit Union Ballpark will receive a new synthetic turf infield. Installation is still underway, and is expected to wrap up in early 2017. More from the Johnson City Press:
“We’re beginning to finish the concrete curbing,” Sports Construction Superintendent Derrick Tucker said Wednesday from the somewhat soggy field. “The infield is the only area where the synthetic turf will be placed, and we excavated it down about seven inches below grade (the rest of the field). “We are laying a woven ‘membrane’ down, and crushed rock will go on top of that. The turf will be stretched over another layer of material going down, and we will fold the edges over the curbing so it meets flush with the outfield grass.”
“I think the work on the synthetic turf is going great,” Parsons said. “I was out there this morning, and they’re doing an awesome job. We’re looking at a Jan. 16 completion date, and installation of the turf should save about $15,000 a year in maintenance costs.”
The Cardinals are heading into 2017 with some momentum after a solid 2016 that saw the franchise set a new attendance record.