BLOOMINGTON, IN | AstroTurf.com | August 28th, 2025 — Indiana University has announced the installation of a brand-new AstroTurf® Diamond Series field at Bart Kaufman Field, providing Hoosier Baseball with one of the most advanced synthetic playing surfaces in the game. Designed to replicate the look, feel, and play of natural grass and clay, the Diamond Series gives IU athletes a big league experience every time they take the field.
The AstroTurf® Diamond Series, trusted and chosen by MLB®, is specifically engineered for baseball, featuring turf systems tailored to each part of the diamond. The infield is built with specialized fiber and infill to simulate the speed and bounce of clay, while the outfield uses a grass-like blend that supports consistent ball roll and true hops. Mound and basepath areas are constructed for durability under heavy traffic, ensuring that the field maintains peak performance throughout long seasons.
“Bart Kaufman Field is a special venue with a proud tradition, and this installation ensures the Hoosiers will have a world-class playing surface for years to come. It’s about matching the program’s excellence on the field with the best technology underfoot.” said Astroturf Director of Baseball, Aaron Klotz.
By selecting AstroTurf®, Indiana University is investing in more than just performance. The Diamond Series also minimizes maintenance requirements, withstands Midwest weather challenges, and reduces water use compared to natural grass—all factors that make the system a sustainable choice for the program’s future.
“Astroturf was a pleasure to work with. They communicated, asked great questions and provided the exact product we desired. We couldn’t be more pleased with how the process was handled. The field looks great and we are so excited to get to work this season.” – Head Coach Jeff Mercer.
The new field underscores IU’s commitment to providing its student-athletes with facilities that match the level of their talent and ambition. For fans, it also enhances the gameday experience, offering a visually striking surface that ensures playability from opening day through the final pitch of the season.
Get Your Field:
AstroTurf’s Diamond Series provides the most naturally-playing surface on the market. True bounces, natural speed, and realistic sliding distances are required for a quality synthetic turf baseball system. We’ll let you in on a little trade secret — we’ve designed systems that play like clay where they’re supposed to and like grass where they should.
Customization of an AstroTurf Diamond Series field system is possible and allows for a home–field advantage. Importantly, our use of nylon in the base paths creates realistic sliding distances and enhances durability in these high–use areas. Specialized fibers, differentiated pile heights, and tunable infill ratios are critical to the popularity of the Diamond Series. The Diamond Series product lineup is available a la carte for each area of the baseball field.
For more information about AstroTurf and its innovative turf solutions, please visit astroturf.com.
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.
