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Northern Illinois University: Ralph McKenzie Field
| Location: | Dekalb, IL |
| Owner: | Northern Illinois University |
| General Contractor: | Midwest Athletic Fields of Jackson, WI |
| Material Suppliers: | The TXI Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner used is vitrified clay that was manufactured at TXI's Boulder plant, railed to a stockpile location in Chicago Heights, IL, and trucked to the field in an end dump trailer. |
Ralph McKinzie Field, home of Northern Illinois University Huskie Baseball, was originally built in 1965 and has undergone several improvements since its opening. The most recent improvement was a complete infield renovation in the fall of 2010 to help reestablish proper surface grade for proper surface drainage and to correct issues related to heavy wear caused by excessive play from tournaments throughout the summer.
The scope of the project included:
- Removal of existing sod and cutting out lips around the edges of the skinned infield
- The addition of new root zone for the grass portion of the infield
- The addition of screened infield soil from a nearby source in northern Illinois
- Removal of the existing warning track and addition of new warning track material in all foul areas
- Laser grading all areas within the work zone
- Reconstruction of the game mound, home plate area, and bullpens, resodding, and
- Topdressing the infield with approximately 10 tons of Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner.
Josh Viet, Partner and Construction Manager of Midwest Athletic Fields, said "The renovation wouldn't have been as successful without the use of Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner to make it a first class playing surface with a professional appearance."
NIU Head Baseball Coach, Ed Mathey stated, "Josh, Chad Bauer, and Perry Bauer from Midwest Athletic Fields are knowledgeable, efficient, and have done a fantastic job on this most recent renovation as well as other previous renovation work for NIU." Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner was originally recommended to Coach Mathey by Josh for use as a topdressing application to the infield skinned area because it would provide a nice, finished appearance while also helping absorb excess moisture. Coach Mathey stated, "The Red Infield Conditioner provides excellent footing and helps the infield soil retain moisture." Coach Mathey added, "Red Infield Conditioner helps finish off the look of the infield in a first class manner and improves the play of the ball through the infield. We could not be more satisfied with the product, service, and workmanship of our field renovation."
Midwest Athletic Fields has performed similar renovation projects using Diamond Pro Red Infield Conditioner for the Ashwaubenon Girls Softball Association (Ashwaubenon, WI), Wisconsin Dells Parks and Recreation (Wisconsin Dells, WI), Lombard Parks District (Lombard, IL), and St. John's Northwestern Military Academy (Delafield, WI).
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