I noticed the same earlier, definitely not our pristine field that we're typically spoiled with

Thanks everyone for the info. Just haven't seen it look like this. Kind of looks like my lawn here at home with a record drought. Gig'Em!

Post pics

not a fan of the turf around home. Either go all turn or not.

vwbug said:

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not a fan of the turf around home. Either go all turn or not.

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Because of how the field sits and the sunlight that those areas don't get, it's tough to get the grass to grow in the turfed areas.

Leo was super-human in the way he maintained the field - I know - but I don't remember the now-turfed area behind and around home plate looking any worse than the rest of the field back in his day.

Mister Mystery Guest said:

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Leo was super-human in the way he maintained the field - I know - but I don't remember the now-turfed area behind and around home plate looking any worse than the rest of the field back in his day.

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Pretty sure we went with turf back there when they did the field overhaul while he was here. When they did the drainage system.

twk said:

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Mark Fairchild said:

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Where is Leo when we need him? I know, I know Leo is taking care of heavens's field, but I have never seen Olsen field look this bad. Is there some reason?

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Weather. They've had the tarp on the field more than you would like.

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There have been lots of rainy spring seasons in College Station over the years and I never recall the field looking this bad.

Atmpainter said:

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The areas that look the worst actually have been sodded which is normal. Plenty of seasons with Leo at the helm we were in pretty rough shape as well. That field is also 21 years old and that brings a whole host of issues in and of itself.

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I thought a few years ago they completely redid the field. I'm recalling they excavated down 4-5 feet, installed new drainage and irrigation, and refilled with new soil and sod. I could be misremembering though.

We are long passed a turf removal and re-do for Olsen Field. Still don't think it's in the budget. Not sure how much this would help but that's old turf, grading, drainage and irrigation system.

This was from Sunday

I believe the entire field is beyond due for a refresh. These specialized turf fields need to be redone every so often to keep optimal growing conditions. It no longer drains as it did when it was put in. I believe it is/was a part of the stadium expansion, but got delayed when the seating was delayed.

It should be completely redone whenever the remainder of the project is funded.

I also believe that Leo did an EXCEPTIONAL job maintaining the fields when he was here and, no offence to the current staff, they don't/can't maintain it as well as he did. In their defense, I believe the amount of fields they have to maintain has grown considerably with the new outdoor track, new softball, new football practice fields and several off season events at Kyle that look to be extremely hard on the turf compared to what were truly off seasons in the past.

All this is mostly speculation on my part, but it seems obvious to me.

I suspect you are correct and that they will not redo the field until the seating expansion, if that is actually on the horizon.

would also think the ryegrass is fading or it should be. Whenever we have a cool wet Spring the rye will continue to thrive when we need the warm season turf to start popping back. Also known as a bad transition.

twk said:

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I suspect you are correct and that they will not redo the field until the seating expansion, if that is actually on the horizon.

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They know it needs to be done.

The seating expansion would tear up some of the field and possibly reshape the outfield in places, so the ideal time is when the seating expansion is done. I would hope that if, for some reason, the seating expansion is tabled for a period of time that they would go ahead and address the field.

When it was done last, I remember that it could take an incredible amount of rain and be ready to play within an hour or so, it drained so well. Now the outfield floods and we get standing water, etc. and it can't get ready for play without human intervention.

ftworthag02 said:

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would also think the ryegrass is fading or it should be. Whenever we have a cool wet Spring the rye will continue to thrive when we need the warm season turf to start popping back. Also known as a bad transition.

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I spoke with Leo some back during the last renovation and he spoke about how he would have to "paint" some of the turf during the transition period. The dark green "paint" (not sure it was actual paint) would not only make the field look better, but help keep heat in and fool the warm weather turf that it was warmer than it actually was to encourage growth especially when the cool weather stuff was fading.

I am not agriculturally inclined, so most went over my head, but I was impressed on how much babysitting they had to do with the turf to keep it growing against its natural tendencies.

He also was almost the only one that watered the infield prior to games and was very careful on the amount of water used. I am sure it all had an effect on how the field looked at game time.

He was an artist.

85AustinAg said:

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We are long passed a turf removal and re-do for Olsen Field. Still don't think it's in the budget. Not sure how much this would help but that's old turf, grading, drainage and irrigation system.

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I don't know what all is in the works but they're not doing any of the summer baseball camps or events (like the Prep Baseball All State Games for HS recruits) because of the renovations and I understand field upgrades are part of that.