Miami Ohio University Athletics
New Era Begins for Miami Baseball
1/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Preview the New Turf
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University's baseball program enters a new era this spring with the addition of a $1.1 million artificial turf surface for McKie Field at Hayden Park.
The new turf surface will allow the team to practice outside earlier in the year and limit the impact of adverse weather conditions on Miami home games. It is the second major enhancement to McKie Field at Hayden Park after the opening of the Jay Hayden Baseball Center in September 2015.
The privately funded turf project will save on maintenance, equipment and labor, along with water costs and resources.
"The development of the program is huge, and what our athletic department has done for us as a baseball program is unbelievable," said Danny Hayden, Miami Baseball head coach. "Before, we were taking ground balls on the gym floor, and now we can go on the field and do those things we hadn't been able to do before."
The Miami University Athletic Department and Cincinnati-based The Motz Group installed the turf. Work began on Oct. 17 following the completion of the Red and White Series and ended in December. The turf surface will officially debut for Miami's Opening Day home game against Illinois State at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 3. Miami Baseball has 27 home games scheduled for 2017.
Just prior to the beginning of installation, the department started a campaign to raise money for the project and generously received support from Miami donors. Those contributors include Jim Bonaminio '71 and Joani Noble Bonaminio '74, Ryan Brenner '13, John Christie '72, Jan '77 and Tom Hassfurther '77, the Hayden family, Betsy '85 and Peter Mogk '85, Beth Mosshart '78, Steve Mosshart '78, and Buddy '73 and Toby Schultz. Their assistance has helped ensure new amenities for Miami Baseball that will contribute to the team's success for years to come.
The project is part of the Graduating Champions Campaign, an $80 million capital campaign focused on improving Miami's athletic facilities and increasing private support for scholarships. The improvements at McKie Field at Hayden Park join several other efforts funded by the Graduating Champions Campaign, including upgrades at Millett Hall and Goggin Ice Center, as well as the opening of the David and Anita Dauch Indoor Sports Center, a 91,000-square-foot facility that benefits Miami student-athletes with year-round training. To learn how to be a part of this historic campaign, visit MiamiOH.edu/GraduatingChampions.
