July 1, 2004
Northern Illinois’ Ralph McKinzie Field Resurfacing Project
Nears Completion
DeKALB, IL – There isn’t a happier Northern Illinois University
baseball player than shortstop Greg Larsen. After competing on one
of the more difficult playing surfaces in the Mid-American Conference
last season, the second team All-MAC performer will have the benefit
of the newest infield in the League next season as the “facelift”
on Ralph McKinzie Field nears completion.
The resurfacing,
done by H&K Enterprises of Appleton, WI, began on June 24 and
is scheduled for completion on July 10.
Six inches of
crushed agriculture limestone, which previously covered the McKinzie
Field grounds, was removed and four inches of “Baseball Mix”
and two inches of “Magic Mix” were installed in its place.
The specially designed “Baseball Mix” is a clay-sand combination
that was developed and patented by H&K Enterprises and is used
for its superior draining capabilities. The “Magic Mix”
is the same infield surface used in a number of professional baseball
stadiums throughout the country and acts as a soil protector. The
Magic Mix also aids in the absorption of moisture and gives the
infield dirt that red coloration that has become so popular in professional
infields.
“Our players
are going to love this new infield,” head coach Ed Mathey said.
“Not only are we getting the new infield, but our field is
being raised and leveled off as well. That will make it easier on
all our players.
“The recruiting
season opened today (July 1), so there is nothing better than to
tell a prospect that our new field is being installed as we speak.
Pretty soon, we will be able to show prospective student-athletes
our field on visits and use it for our upcoming summer camps. There
wasn’t a better time to get this field.”
The infield
will also have new sod added next week to complete the project.
