Galesburg, IL – The Knox Softball Field has undergone some significant improvements.

The renovations, which were made in June, will allow the infield to drain better during and after heavy rain. 

Prairie Fire softball coach Ashley Sims said the infield is more level and is an all-around better playing surface.

The crew that worked on the field started by pushing out the outfield edge and moved home plate one foot forward.

“We really had problems with standing water around the outside edges of first, second, and third base and behind home plate,” Sims said.  “The (new) drainage system, plus the fact that the field was skimmed and leveled out, together, is really nice.  That will really help.”

Jacob Morgan, Knox College’s director of grounds, said the field was stripped of two inches of surface clay material to be reused.  The topdressing was removed and the sand sub-base was laser leveled in two directions for proper surface drainage.

In addition, new drain tile was added around the perimeter of the field.  The area outside of the original field line was then cored out 10 inches deep.  Morgan said 45 tons of sand was added for a base and to help with drainage.

The work continued with the incorporation of the original clay topdressing with 28 tons of new clay topdressing that was spread evenly across the entire playing surface, and then laser leveled again.

Sims said because the field can drain a lot of water, it will be in better condition after a rain storm.  “It’s going to give us a step ahead of where we were – being able to prepare it and being able to play.”

Sims said the infield surface will also be better to play on.

“Before this our mixtures were off in the field.  We would have sandy spots that would get torn up (and) we would have hard spots.  As a fielder you have to know where your spots are at on the field, where is (the ball) going to take a harder bounce…you get to that point where it’s kind of like a guessing game,” Sims said.  “Now, (the field) is a little bit flatter…and the material is all the same.”

The Knox Softball Field already has a state-of-the-art irrigation system.

Sims is pleased with the renovations.

“I think this puts us up towards the top of our conference as far as having a nice field.”

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