Turf installation underway as baseball complex renovation remains on schedule
Landmark day for Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - AUGUST 8, 2006

Fred Handler Park is right on schedule.

Tuesday, Aug. 8, was a noteworthy day in the renovation of St. Bonaventure's baseball complex. That's because at about 9 a.m., workers began laying the field's new, state-of-the-art artificial surface, a process that will take approximately 7-10 days.

After that, all that will be left are the finishing touches - things like the warning tracks, screens and netting around the backstop, and the final grading of the home plate area and pitcher's mound.

According to the project's managers, the renovation is expected to be completed well before the Aug. 28 start of University classes and fall baseball practices.

But the installation of the Sport Turf XP from Synthetic Turf International is a milestone.

"Seeing those first strips of green turf go down is the high point of the summer," said Bonnies baseball coach Larry Sudbrook. "Since the grass was taken out back in May, all we've seen is dirt and rocks, so it's great to see some color. More importantly, the project is on schedule and we can really start looking forward to the future of our baseball program on this new field."

Work began immediately following the Bonnies' final home game last spring and, despite some interruptions due to rain, has progressed well throughout the summer.

In addition to the switch from a natural surface to the artificial Sport Turf XP, the project also includes new 50-foot long, sunken dugouts, new bullpens, and new fencing around the entire facility including an expanded backstop behind home plate.

Beginning in the fall, the complex will be called "Fred Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field" after the Bonnies' longtime coach. In prior seasons, the name was simply McGraw-Jennings Field.

The renovation was made possible by Thomas Marra, a 1980 alumnus who played baseball under Handler and is a member of the University Board of Trustees. Marra donated $900,000 to The Anniversary Campaign for St. Bonaventure which was earmarked for the baseball program.