The Fredericksburg Nationals (High A; Carolina League) will install synthetic turf as their new ballpark in 2020, as the team announces plans to utilize Shaw Sports Turf’s B1K system.
The “Batting a Thousand” Natural Turf (B1K) is a dual fiber system comprised of Shaw Sports Turf’s high-performance Strenexe XD slit film and Shaw’s Bolt monofilament. It either has or will soon be installed at a few Major League Baseball ballparks, as the Arizona Diamondbacks began using it at Chase Field in 2019 and the Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins will do the same at their respective facilities in 2020.
“I’m happy the Silber family put their trust in Shaw Sports Turf. Dr. Philipe Aldahir’s field playability testing has allowed Shaw Sports Turf to emerge as the unquestioned leader in the baseball world,” said Territory Manager, Andrew Barksdale. “There was no doubt that a championship organization like the Fredericksburg Nationals would take the time to do their due diligence and care about player safety and performance. Now, the Fredericksburg Nationals will have the premier baseball field on the east coast.”
“Early in our stadium development plans, we decided to explore synthetic grass to increase the flexibility of the use of our stadium,” said Fredericksburg Nationals principal owner and Chairman Art Silber. “Obviously, our primary concern was player safety and the playability of the field. Through working closely we Shaw we were convinced their product was first in class for the players, our fans, and our operation. We are thrilled to be the first minor league team to install this outstanding surface.”
The Geofill Performance Infill within the blades forms a firm surface similar to natural soil with lower energy rebound levels identical to high-performance natural grass. The result is a more natural playing posture and motion from the players, creating less fatigue as their bodies will not have to overcompensate for the “bounciness” of the surface. The B1K surface also creates natural baseball bounce, allowing players to charge the ball confidently while fielding.
The Fredericksburg Nationals commitment to sustainability also played a role in the change, as the Geofill infill is made from natural materials that are environmentally friendly. The transition to a synthetic playing surface is expected to provide significant savings in water consumption each season by requiring less water to maintain the system. It will also allow the Fredericksburg Nationals to conduct additional events on the field including concerts, City of Fredericksburg sponsored events, and numerous other youth and community activities.
RELATED STORIES: Fredericksburg Nationals Unveil Jerseys, Alternate Logo; Fredericksburg Nationals Strike Partnership with PSC; New for 2020: Fredericksburg Nationals; Prep Work Continues on New Fredericksburg Ballpark; Fredericksburg Baseball Makes Personnel Moves; Fredericksburg Ballpark Site Work to Start Next Month; Fredericksburg Ballpark Gets Final Approvals; New Fredericksburg Ballpark Breaks Ground; Fredericksburg Ballpark Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for February 24; P-Nats Surpass 1,000 Season Ticket Reservations in Fredericksburg; New Fredericksburg Ballpark Deal Approved; Fredericksburg Ballpark Review Period Extended; Fredericksburg Ballpark Plan Looks to Clear Hurdles; Public Meeting Held for Proposed Fredericksburg Ballpark; P-Nats Continue Fredericksburg Ballpark Discussions; Prince William County to Explore Replacement for P-Nats; Fredericksburg Approves Letter of Intent with P-Nats; P-Nats Announce First Fredericksburg Ballpark Founding Partnership; Prince William County Officials Unsurprised by P-Nats’ Fredericksburg Plans; Fredericksburg Eager for Ballpark Discussions; Flying Squirrels Monitoring Situation; P-Nats Pursue New Fredericksburg Ballpark