Upcoming Event: Softball versus North Carolina on February 6, 2026 at 5 p.m.
SB
5 p.m.
James Madison
vs North Carolina
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU Softball Turf Set for Replacement
6/29/2023 10:20:00 AM | Softball, Administration
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Following extensive renovations at James Madison softball's Veterans Memorial Park, including a seating expansion, revamped press box, outfield padding and improved lighting, JMU Athletics will complete another piece with replacement of the current turf surface this summer with work set to begin in early July.
Carolina Green Corp. will serve as general contractor to install a new Shaw Turf surface and Hilltopper infield dirt. The Hilltopper infield dirt is polymer coated to replace moisture cohesion, thus repelling water off the infield and into the turf to drain. The dirt does not freeze, which allows for early season play during winter months. This system offers year-round access to Veterans Memorial Park for the softball program and requires minimal maintenance. Ultimately, it reduces missed competitions due inclement weather.
JMU will install Shaw Sports Turf's B1K system. Shaw's approach for softball is different from some other sports as each area of the field is meant to have different playability characteristics. Shaw Sports Turf emphasizes researching high-end fields and how athletes perform on them to develop artificial turf systems that play true in all areas of the field. Comparing both natural grass and synthetic turf field characteristics, Shaw Sports Turf set out to develop a method with softball organizations and academic partners to evaluate a softball fields' playability. The over 4,200 hours dedicated to B1K development and over 10,500 hours dedicated to softball specific research illustrates Shaw Sports Turf's commitment to excellence.
Carolina Green's other projects with JMU Athletics have included: the 2019 replacement of the Zane Showker Field surface at Bridgeforth Stadium, field hockey's Desso Sportillux MF Turf system, the softball Desso iDNA X outfield turf and bullpen areas, the Hilltopper infield system at softball and the recent renovation to the softball practice field adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park. They have also completed multiple campus recreation projects.
Work on the softball fields begins in early July and is scheduled for completion in late August. The turf is being replaced for the second time since the facility opened in March of 2010.
Carolina Green Corp. will serve as general contractor to install a new Shaw Turf surface and Hilltopper infield dirt. The Hilltopper infield dirt is polymer coated to replace moisture cohesion, thus repelling water off the infield and into the turf to drain. The dirt does not freeze, which allows for early season play during winter months. This system offers year-round access to Veterans Memorial Park for the softball program and requires minimal maintenance. Ultimately, it reduces missed competitions due inclement weather.
JMU will install Shaw Sports Turf's B1K system. Shaw's approach for softball is different from some other sports as each area of the field is meant to have different playability characteristics. Shaw Sports Turf emphasizes researching high-end fields and how athletes perform on them to develop artificial turf systems that play true in all areas of the field. Comparing both natural grass and synthetic turf field characteristics, Shaw Sports Turf set out to develop a method with softball organizations and academic partners to evaluate a softball fields' playability. The over 4,200 hours dedicated to B1K development and over 10,500 hours dedicated to softball specific research illustrates Shaw Sports Turf's commitment to excellence.
Carolina Green's other projects with JMU Athletics have included: the 2019 replacement of the Zane Showker Field surface at Bridgeforth Stadium, field hockey's Desso Sportillux MF Turf system, the softball Desso iDNA X outfield turf and bullpen areas, the Hilltopper infield system at softball and the recent renovation to the softball practice field adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park. They have also completed multiple campus recreation projects.
Work on the softball fields begins in early July and is scheduled for completion in late August. The turf is being replaced for the second time since the facility opened in March of 2010.
JMU Softball | Dukes Advance to 2025 Sun Belt Title Game
Saturday, May 10
JMU Softball | Recap vs. Texas State
Monday, June 03
JMU Softball | Weiler Orthodontics Invitational Recap
Monday, June 03
JMU Softball | Recap vs. Marshall
Monday, June 03
