SARASOTA, FL — AstroTurf® has completed a major training-surface installation for the Baltimore Orioles at the club’s spring training home in Sarasota, supporting the organization’s newly opened player development complex at Ed Smith Stadium. The project reflects how spring training sites have evolved into full-scale, year-round development environments where consistent footing, repeatability, and uninterrupted training time are essential.
The Orioles’ new complex represents a significant investment in infrastructure and daily player work. The facility is a $23 million, 45,000-square-foot development hub designed for year-round use by the Orioles organization. AstroTurf surfaces were installed across key training areas to support continuous skill work and efficient transitions between stations, even when Florida weather is unpredictable and schedules are compressed.
One of the pieces is an indoor space compromised of a four-cage hitting environment totaling nearly 16,000 square feet, designed with convertible netting that can lift to create a full infield training area. This kind of configuration enables high-volume repetitions, faster station turnover, and game-relevant training continuity in a controlled setting. The complex also includes dedicated pitching development and training components, along with areas structured to support daily skill acquisition and performance feedback.
Outside, the Orioles added a 33,430-square-foot outdoor turf agility field, built for speed, movement, conditioning, rehab, and injury prevention. According to Orioles operations leadership cited in coverage of the project, the field incorporates a sand-and-rock base similar to what is used by the Toronto Blue Jays , with the intent to improve comfort and manage surface temperature, while keeping the space usable on days when conditions would otherwise limit outdoor work. The adjacent pitching area also includes eight mounds to support high-volume throwing routines without losing time to the elements.
“It’s been kind of a dream for us for a few years,” president of baseball operations Mike Elias said. “It’s a huge advantage for us as we train and try to get our players better. … This is going to be the anchor of this facility, and this is one of the best. I think it’s the best Spring Training setup in the state of Florida.” Said Orioles President of Baseball Ops, Mike Elias
From a baseball-surface standpoint, this installation aligns with the performance priorities that define modern player development. AstroTurf’s baseball systems, including the Diamond Series lineup and advanced RootZone® technologies, are engineered to produce true hops, consistent ball response, and dependable footingin the areas where training volume is highest. By stabilizing the surface and helping limit infill movement in high-traffic zones, these systems support cleaner repetitions and more predictable play characteristics throughout a long spring and year-round development calendar.
“Working with the Orioles on this project, the message was clear – they wanted the best system and the safest system in the game. We are so thankful for their trust in our team and are excited to see how this helps their player development and preparation for the 2026 season and other seasons to come.” said Aaron Klotz, National Baseball Director for AstroTurf
AstroTurf® is proud to serve as the Official Synthetic Turf Partner of Major League Baseball, supporting clubs and facilities with baseball-specific surfaces engineered for consistency, durability, and year-round use. From professional stadium environments to high-volume spring training and player development spaces, AstroTurf systems help teams maintain reliable footing and predictable play while reducing maintenance and weather-related disruption. This partnership reflects MLB’s demand for performance at scale—and AstroTurf’s continued commitment to advancing the modern baseball field experience.
The Orioles project reinforces AstroTurf’s continued commitment to improving the player experience across MLB environments, where the goal is not just a field that looks great on day one, but training surfaces that hold their performance through constant use, tight schedules, and variable weather.
About AstroTurf® Corporation
AstroTurf® Corporation is the original inventor and innovator of synthetic sports surfacing, leading the industry for 60 years. Known for pioneering surfacing solutions, AstroTurf® Corporation delivers cutting-edge products focused on performance, safety, and sustainability.
The company’s portfolio includes AstroTurf® fields, the trusted name in synthetic turf; Rekortan® tracks, the benchmark for elite running surfaces; Laykold® courts, the premier choice for tennis and multi-sport court play; and SYNLawn®, the industry leader in residential and commercial landscaping solutions. These products are the original brands in their respective categories and set the standard for quality and innovation in sports and recreational surfacing.
AstroTurf® is dedicated to creating world-class sports and recreational environments that inspire athletes and elevate communities. For more information, visit astroturf.com.
About Sport Group
Sport Group is a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of artificial surfaces serving the global sports flooring, leisure and landscaping and industrial markets to over 70 countries globally. Headquartered in Burgheim, Germany, the company’s brand portfolio includes AstroTurf® (the iconic brand that invented the industry), Polytan®, SYNLawn®, LigaTurf®, Poligras®, Rekortan®, and Laykold®.
Sport Group is an industry leader in green technologies, pioneering sustainable products and services such as the world’s first carbon neutral soccer turf, the world’s first carbon zero field hockey turf and development of the industry’s first, and only, turf recycling facility capable of recycling EPDM rubber.
The company has approximately 2,400 employees and operates nine vertically integrated manufacturing facilities and 31 distribution centers across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. For additional information about Sport Group, please visit sportgroup-holding.com.
