Oct. 24, 2013
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NORMAL, Ill. - Facility crews began work this week on installing a new natural grass outfield at Duffy Bass Field. The project caps a two-year overhaul of the baseball playing surface, which featured the installation of a FieldTurf infield last winter.
“The outfield sod project is another step in making this a top notch baseball facility,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “Illinois State is committed to providing first class conditions for our student-athletes, and this is another significant upgrade.”
Crews opened the project by removing the old outfield playing surface and will level the field before laying new sod. The new outfield will feature improved drainage and offer a smoother playing surface. Duffy Bass Field underwent an extensive $3.2-million renovation in 2008 and an energy-efficient LED scoreboard was installed in 2010. Recent upgrades allowed Illinois State to host the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Championship for the first time in school history.
The 2013 Redbirds won a program-record 39 games en route to a Missouri Valley Conference crown and finished 22-7 at Duffy Bass Field. A complete 2014 schedule will be released later this fall, with opening day slated for February.
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