Cooper's baseball field is maintained by a volunteer, Howie Whitaker. The infield is nearly perfect and they added "walkways" to homeplate this off season. The only problem is the outfield is still a little rough. Hopefully the batting cages will get in this year as planned.

 

Glad to hear that! The complex when matured and indeed if taken care of, will be outstanding! Good for Cooper their kids and parents!

Have base paths been cut out of the infield?

 

Beechwood has come a loooong way...thank you to those who've worked so hard to improve it!

Since coach Baioni (HHS) has taken over he has made significant changes to Highland Park.

Have base paths been cut out of the infield?

 

I don't think so. I believe the idea with the all grass infield (including base paths) is to ensure more games get played in wet weather. And I do think it works as far as that goal goes. As to the Beechwood complex itself, the field, dugouts, PA etc. as whole are very good and in the top half in the region IMO, probably top 5. I know some people will never give it that level of credit because they don't like the all grass infield but the complex is very nice. And the complex will be even nicer when the field house and new locker rooms are completed this spring.

I heard they were thinking about cutting base paths out..Wasn't sure if it were true.

I don't think so. I believe the idea with the all grass infield (including base paths) is to ensure more games get played in wet weather. And I do think it works as far as that goal goes. As to the Beechwood complex itself, the field, dugouts, PA etc. as whole are very good and in the top half in the region IMO, probably top 5. I know some people will never give it that level of credit because they don't like the all grass infield but the complex is very nice. And the complex will be even nicer when the field house and new locker rooms are completed this spring.

Cooper's baseball field is maintained by a volunteer, Howie Whitaker. The infield is nearly perfect and they added "walkways" to homeplate this off season. The only problem is the outfield is still a little rough. Hopefully the batting cages will get in this year as planned.

Howie has done a great job with a new field, you will not find many people who gives the time that he does.

St. Henry's stadium is beautiful. Cov Cath has made some very nice improvements to their complex. I assume remodel of the first base dugout/announcer booth is next? Had never been to Scott until last year, but looks like they're doing a nice job with theirs also. Tower Park is a much nicer place to both play & watch a game today than it was 3 years ago. Meinken is an embarressment - no other way to put it. I like the setting at Moerscher (sp?), but the shifting ground down by the river seems to be giving them trouble.

I don't want to get this thread off topic, but is anyone in NKY working towards an artificial surface for their baseball field?

 

I'm sure we all prefer to play & even watch baseball on nice grass fields, but given the weather around here in both spring & summer, an artificial surface would allow an ENORMOUS increase in field time & a significant drop in canceled games.

Here in Louisville, PRP has a turf infield and a grass outfield. This seems to be somewhat of a fix all. Lowers the cost but makes the field more useable.

Here in Louisville, PRP has a turf infield and a grass outfield. This seems to be somewhat of a fix all. Lowers the cost but makes the field more useable.

 

I've only seen PRP in pics, but I agree - seems like a good compromise on cost vs. usability. Any idea on what the total costs were for PRP? Done that way, actual square footage of artificial turf seems like it would be less than a football field.

St. Henry's stadium is beautiful. Cov Cath has made some very nice improvements to their complex. I assume remodel of the first base dugout/announcer booth is next? Had never been to Scott until last year, but looks like they're doing a nice job with theirs also. Tower Park is a much nicer place to both play & watch a game today than it was 3 years ago. Meinken is an embarressment - no other way to put it. I like the setting at Moerscher (sp?), but the shifting ground down by the river seems to be giving them trouble.

 

Tower Park?

I've only seen PRP in pics, but I agree - seems like a good compromise on cost vs. usability. Any idea on what the total costs were for PRP? Done that way, actual square footage of artificial turf seems like it would be less than a football field.

 

Isn't the Florence Freedom field artificial turf? Not sure whether the whole thing is turf or just the infield. Certainly allows for lots of HS games to be played there (reg season and 9th Region tournament) and gives kids a neat setting.

Tower Park?

 

99% sure ft bronc meant Highland Park. I've seen him and many other HHS / Ft. Thomas coaches / players / parents breaking a sweat working on that field. Should get plenty of work this summer with at least 2 Fort Thomas clubs in the SWOL using it as their home diamond.

99% sure ft bronc meant Highland Park. I've seen him and many other HHS / Ft. Thomas coaches / players / parents breaking a sweat working on that field. Should get plenty of work this summer with at least 2 Fort Thomas clubs in the SWOL using it as their home diamond.

 

100% sure I meant Highland Park. 99% sure senility is setting in.

Isn't the Florence Freedom field artificial turf? Not sure whether the whole thing is turf or just the infield. Certainly allows for lots of HS games to be played there (reg season and 9th Region tournament) and gives kids a neat setting.

 

Whole field is turf, and it does seem to get pretty good use. Besides the high school stuff, I know it's been used quite a bit by at least one fall league.