Wilpon Complex Upgrades
November 5th, 2014 at 8:37 PM ^
This is really nice, anybody have pictures pre-renovation for comparison?
November 5th, 2014 at 8:40 PM ^
db definitely imparted one last "wow"
November 5th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^
I think I want to create conversation pit in my family room that looks a bit like the top photo here - very nice indeed. Not sure if my wife would go for the cages, but then nobody uses the Florida room anyway and it could be converted with minimal effort. In all seriousness, thanks for sharing these photos.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:06 PM ^
Would you and your wife mind if I kept a few belongings in one of the lockers? I promise to wear a shirt while sitting on your couch. Thanks in advance.
November 6th, 2014 at 7:39 AM ^
"I promise to wear a shirt while sitting on your couch."
Ahh, but where is the promise to wear pants???
November 5th, 2014 at 9:06 PM ^
What's that little mini field to the right?
November 5th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 5th, 2014 at 9:16 PM ^
Also, like Bando points out, you can see that there's real dirt on the softball field and kind of sketchy looking brown Field Turf on the baseball field.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^
IIRC, softball rules mandate the infield surface be actual dirt.
It's kind of amazing to me that an entirely turf infield and batters' boxes are OK in baseball, honestly.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
I think that's true, and even if it's not anything but real dirt would change the game big time. Softball on all turf would be completely unwatchable and I bet a lot of players would think it was unplayable.
November 5th, 2014 at 10:22 PM ^
November 6th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
If softball went to turf you might as well remove the infielders. The game is so fast already on such a small diamond that any ground ball on turf would be past the infield before anyone could move. Baseball you don't have that problem so much because the dimensions are so much longer and allow for more reaction time. That being said, I get to a lot more balls on grass infields than I can on turf.
November 6th, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^
http://www.astroturf.com/michigan-baseball-softball/
(Somewhat ironic how the fake grass company refers to Michigan as "Big Blue".)
Today, great strides have been made in turf technology and AstroTurf has once again positioned itself as the leader of the baseball market. By synthesizing proprietary technology with innovative design concepts and engaging coaches in the developmental process, AstroTurf has engineered the next generation of baseball-specific synthetic turf. These new fields combine the look, feel, and playability of not only natural grass, but ofclay with specially designed surfacing for base paths and warning tracks. But unlike natural grass, these fields require far less maintenance. In addition, the advanced drainage systems and durable surfacing allow teams to play and practice in difficult weather conditions, a huge plus for college teams whose seasons begin much earlier than their professional counterparts. As a result of this re-imagined inception of the pioneering brand, AstroTurf is once again rising to the forefront of the synthetic turf industry throughout the baseball landscape. The company also holds strong as the Official Synthetic Turf of Major League Baseball. And since installing its first next-generation collegiate field at Wichita State in 2009, AstroTurf has installed more Division I baseball diamonds than any other synthetic turf manufacturer.
I wonder what sliding on astroturf does to the legs/pants.
Anyway, that's the press release from the company that built/installed it, so it's obviously biased toward artificial turf.
About AstroTurf
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s first vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety.
November 5th, 2014 at 8:57 PM ^
Pretty nice. Dave Brandon did like to build everythhing except for relationships with the students.
November 5th, 2014 at 8:59 PM ^
Amazing, but can't stand the fact they put in an all-turf baseball field. Having played baseball my whole life their is no comparison between a well kept diamond to a field with all turf.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:11 PM ^
It's really pretty awful. I know, I know, spring games and rain and such, but... That brown turf just looks all sorts of stupid.
November 5th, 2014 at 10:14 PM ^
I used to agree with both of you, but then I played on an all turf field and it was glorious
November 5th, 2014 at 9:04 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
The indoor batting cages are at RFS? The building interior looks like Oosterbaan.
I actually tweeted the Michigan lax manager and he said the plans for the Lacrosse stadium have been finalized but the department will reveal the renderings by the time the season starts.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:31 PM ^
Yeah, that's not Oosterbaan. Unless they found a way to make Oosterbaan about a fifth of its size.
November 5th, 2014 at 9:31 PM ^
WTF double post
November 5th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 11:00 PM ^
The track, lacrosse, and rowing/soccer/strength and conditioning thing are still going. Not sure sure about the swimming, volleyball/wrestling/gymnastics arena.
November 5th, 2014 at 11:12 PM ^
Ross already donated the money and the new AD will probably continue the project. Unless something crazy happens(college sports bubble bursting), I expect everything to get built.
Anyone know if they plan on doing anything with the old rail tracks? Hopefully they pave over them when they make the "Walk of Champions".
According to the map, the Walk of Champions(that will connect Schembechler Hall to Michigan Stadium) goes between Oosterbaan and Alumni Field. There's some space(marked x) where they could create a football memorial. It could be something like FSU's sod cemetery, where we can honor former football legends and historic events.
November 6th, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^
I think the tracks are still used. I can't remember specifically, but I feel like I've waited for a train where they intersect with State within the past two years
November 5th, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^
November 6th, 2014 at 1:35 AM ^