Samjhana Basnet
Sports Editor
Idaho State University’s (ISU) softball field has recently undergone a significant renovation, thanks to a generous donation from Direct Communications, a local company that supports athletics in the community. The upgrade, which primarily focused on replacing the old surface with new Turf, promises to transform the player experience and improve game scheduling by minimizing weather disruptions.
The original field, which was installed in 2009, had been in service for more than a decade and faced increasing challenges due to the region’s unpredictable weather patterns. Rain and snow often made the field unplayable early in the spring and late in the fall, limiting the team’s ability to practice and compete. According to Senior Project Manager Wayland Richards, who oversaw the renovation, the decision to upgrade the surface was driven by the need for a more weather-resistant playing field.
“The existing surface was always limited by the weather,” Richards explained. “The new Turf will allow the players to play earlier in the spring and later in the fall with less weather interruption.”
The project began in June, immediately following the end of the softball season, and continued through the summer months. Richards and his team faced the challenge of completely dismantling the old surface, which included removing the clay infield and the sprinkler system that had been in place for years. The goal was to replace it with modern, low-maintenance Turf that would require less water and provide better drainage, ensuring that rain would no longer cause game delays.
“There were some challenges during the process due to the short timeline and unpredictable weather,” Richards said. “We had to make a lot of flexible decisions to blend the existing field with the new materials, but overall, the project went smoothly.”
While the field was out of commission during the renovation, the softball team temporarily relocated their practices to Holt Arena. Fortunately, no games were affected, as the softball season had ended in May, giving the construction team ample time to work before the fall semester began.
One of the most exciting aspects of the new field is its ability to withstand heavy rainfall without causing delays. The advanced Turf system allows water to quickly infiltrate, eliminating the need for extended drying periods after a storm. For the players, this means more time on the field and fewer interruptions to their training and competitions.
“Even if there’s a massive rainfall, the players don’t have to wait for the field to dry,” Richards noted. “The water will just infiltrate, so there will be no more weather delays.”
In addition to the practical benefits, the new field is also more environmentally friendly. By switching to synthetic Turf, the university will significantly reduce its water usage, as the field no longer needs to be watered. This is a crucial improvement for a region that frequently experiences dry summers.
Another key feature of the renovation is the removal of the red clay infield, which not only caused messy uniforms but also required frequent maintenance. With the new surface in place, the players can enjoy a cleaner, more professional-looking field.
“The field now looks more legitimate,” Richards said. “The players won’t have dirty uniforms after practice or games, and the audience will see a more polished playing surface.”
For Richards, being involved in the renovation has been a rewarding experience. “It’s been a cool project for me,” he shared. “I can look out there and say, ‘Hey, I did that.’ I was able to be part of something that will last for about 10 years.”
As the final touches are being made to the field, Richards remains involved with the softball coaching staff and ISU’s athletic director to ensure everything is completed smoothly. He hopes the team will appreciate the efforts that went into the upgrade and looks forward to seeing them thrive on the new field.
“I hope the softball team will like the new field and appreciate the effort that’s been put into it,” Richards said. “It’s going to make their experience much better, and I’m proud to have been a part of that.”
With the new Turf in place and the field set for at least another decade of use, ISU’s softball program is ready to embrace a new era of competition, one free from the constraints of weather delays and high-maintenance surfaces.
