Tulsa, OK – Oral Roberts University has developed a nationally recognized baseball program, and the Golden Eagles are having one of their best seasons to date. So what’s new? They’re doing it on a brand new, cutting edge diamond from AstroTurf®, the leaders in artificial turf systems for baseball.
ORU made the switch from natural grass to artificial turf back in January, when certified AstroTurf distributor Mid America Sports installed the new turf. J.L. Johnson Stadium now features a state-of-the-art Diamond Series playing surface from AstroTurf. For this synthetic turf system, the infield “grass” portion of the field is comprised of a combination of advanced fibers that mimic the look, feel, and playability of natural grass. Base paths, warning tracks, and batter’s box all feature a proprietary fiber blend of shorter pile height that accurately emulates clay. The pitcher’s mound has a specialized variation of that clay-like turf. All of the elements of the playing surface have been engineered for optimal ball bounce, ball roll, underfoot feel, and durability.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with AstroTurf Diamond Series for our baseball field,” said Head Coach Ryan Folmar. “Whitey (Doug White, Director of baseball operations for AstroTurf) is a baseball guy and understood our expectations. The follow up and service after the completion is second to none. We’re happy to be a part of the AstroTurf family.”
The Golden Eagles came into this season fresh off of their 16th Summit League title and 26th trip to the NCAA Regionals in 2016. Coach Folmar’s squad has already amassed over 30 wins in 2017, and ORU is a stellar 21-5 at home on the new turf. At the end of May, the Summit League Championships will be played at J.L. Johnson Stadium, an excellent showcase for the school’s outstanding baseball program and its impressive new AstroTurf diamond.
Next generation baseball surfaces like this one from AstroTurf have grown increasingly popular in the college game. In fact, since 2009 more Division I baseball programs have chosen AstroTurf than all other artificial turf brands combined. These fields combine the look, feel, and performance of a traditional grass and clay diamond while requiring far less maintenance. In addition, the advanced drainage systems and durable surfacing allow teams to play and practice in difficult weather conditions, a huge plus for college teams whose seasons begin much earlier than their professional counterparts. AstroTurf synthetic turf baseball surfaces can be found all over the country, including at Hawkins Field, home of the 2014 College World Series Champion Vanderbilt Commodores.
About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s newly redesigned website at www.astroturf.com.