Wake Forest Athletics
Renovations Underway at Wake Forest Baseball Park
6/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Even though the baseball season may be over, there is still plenty of activity going on at Wake Forest Baseball Park as renovations to the facility scheduled for this summer have started.
"We are very excited about the continued improvements to Wake Forest Baseball Park," head coach Tom Walter said. "The renovations currently underway show the commitment the administration has made to the baseball program. These improvements will continue to make our stadium one of the best facilities in the ACC."
Extensive renovations are planned for the park over the summer months under the direction of general contractor I.L. Long Construction Company. A live webcam has been set up on the concourse behind home plate so fans can view the progress of the project. To view the webcam, click here.
This summer's renovations marks the third phase of a multi-phase renovation project to Wake Forest Baseball Park. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by November 1. The first phase included the construction of the indoor hitting facility, while the second phase addressed some general stadium renovations. Future phases of the project are also being considered.
One of the main improvements scheduled for this summer is the replacement of the current natural grass playing surface with a synthetic playing surface. Carolina Green Corporation is the contractor for all the work on the playing field. The field renovation will also include replacing all the walls that surround the playing surface and improving the drainage of the field and seating bowl. The field portion of the project is expected to be completed by October 1, in time for the start of fall practice.
"The installation of the synthetic playing surface will provide a competitive advantage for our team by creating a unique playing surface," Walter said. "It requires minimal upkeep, which allows our student-athletes more practice time and less time working on the field."
Another part of the construction project is replacing the outfield wall that has been used for the last two seasons and replacing it with a permanent, padded wall. Promats Athletics, LLC, which has worked with several teams in Major League Baseball, is handling the padding and signage on the new wall. Promats is also in charge of the replacement of the benches, bat racks and helmet racks in both dugouts.
Landscaping will also be added behind the outfield wall to bring back the look and feel of the former on-campus home of the Deacs, Gene Hooks Stadium. Holly trees will be planted behind the wall in left and right field, with a different species of tree expected to be planted behind the center field wall to create a better batting eye for the hitters.
In addition, the lighting at the park will be upgraded to bring up to national television standards.
For all of the latest information on Wake Forest baseball, please log on to www.WakeForestSports.com or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account @WFUBaseball or www.twitter.com/WFUBaseball.
