DUKE BLUE DEVILS BASEBALL TEAM SET TO PLAY ON A NEW ASTROTURF® FIELD

Durham N.C. (September 3, 2010) - The transformation has begun at Duke University’s Jack Coombs Field to replace the natural grass field with a new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf® surface.

Duke is joining the current trend that many other baseball teams are moving toward. In fact, AstroTurf® has installed a field for the Toronto Blue Jays this year and is The Official Turf for Major League Baseball. Wake Forest University is also in the process of installing a new AstroTurf® field.

The Blue Devils made the decision to replace the natural grass field with AstroTurf® to prevent future problems with drainage, to require less maintenance and provide a better playing surface.

After five years of mostly dry weather, the issue finally came to the surface, resulting in a need for additional options.

“This past winter and spring brought many drainage problems with the rain and cold temperatures,” explained Brad Berndt, Baseball Administrator and Associate Athletic Director. “The field became unplayable with just a trace of rain and we had to move and reschedule practices and games.”

After narrowing it down to three synthetic surface companies, Duke selected AstroTurf®.

“AstroTurf® made us feel like we were an individual client instead of a number,” said Berndt. “AstroTurf® was the most receptive and responsive to what we needed for our field, including the timeline we had to complete the project.”

For many of the players on the Duke University baseball team, it will not be the first time they have stepped foot on an AstroTurf® field.

“Some players from the current team have already played on synthetic turf and have had nothing but positive reactions,” said Berndt.

AstroTurf® will give Duke all the benefits that they were seeking, including year round playability, low maintenance and better drainage.

In addition, Duke hopes to gain a competitive advantage with a new field worthy of a championship team.

The new Jack Coombs Field will be AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ 3D60H. The Horseshoe fiber in the field is a stronger, more durable fiber. The field will also include nylon RootZone® fibers which help to decrease infill migration over time. GameDay Grass™ provides a safer, more consistent surface and has been found by a study at Michigan State University to perform most like real grass.

Construction is now underway, with a completion date of October 27th.

MORE TEAMS DEBUT ON ASTROTURF® WITH VICTORIES

DALTON, GA – Pom-Poms, whistles, bands, and the crash of pads……..football season is finally in full swing at most schools around the country.

Several more high school celebrated the debut of new AstroTurf® fields with their first home game this past Friday.

Among the many winners were five programs celebrating big home opener victories.

Texas high school powerhouse, Brenham, defeated Lamar Consolidated 28-3. Running back Troy Green had 135 yards and two TDs, following up last week’s performance of 144 yards and two TDs.

Mount Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania has played on AstroTurf® surfaces at home for 37 years. They started off the right way on their new field with a 34-22 victory over Pine-Richland.

Another Texas power, Muleshoe High School, played their first game on AstroTurf®, defeating Portales, New Mexico 49-8. Muleshoe racked up over 500 yards in total offense.

Ramona High School in California wasted little time putting their AstroTurf® field to good use. They returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a 34-17 win over Serra.

Science Hill High School in Tennessee, may be most famous as the alma mater of the Evil Genius, Steve Spurrier. The school christened a new AstorTurf® field last Friday, as the Hilltoppers beat Volunteer High School 49-13.

In college action, Jacksonville University in Florida is coached by Florida great Kerwin Bell. While they have yet to play on their new AstroTurf® field, they did secure the victory on another AstroTurf® field by beating Old Dominion 35-25.

The Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium’s new AstroTurf® field was recently completed and hosted this weekend’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Southern University and Delaware State University. Southern University rose to the challenge, winning 37-27.

BRENHAM OPENS ON NEW ASTROTURF® FIELD TONIGHT

BRENHAM, TEXAS - If synthetic turf fields were jewels, the new AstroTurf® field at Cub Stadium in Brenham would be the Hope Diamond.

Just ask Coach Glen West.

The new surface, which was signed off on last Wednesday, began hosting practices and junior varsity games right away.

“It’s amazing,” said Coach West. “This is like a perfect grass field. It looks as close to natural grass as I’ve ever seen. “

Coach West has seen his share of artificial turf fields. In fact, his team will not play at all on growing grass this year. He says there are good companies that make good fields, but nothing compares to the Cubs’ new field.

The field is made of AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ 3D60H, the most state-of-the-art field available. The turf offers several unique features.

First, the 60-ounce pile weight is the highest in the industry. Second, the Horeshoe fibers are a dual-post, stronger, cross-section fiber. The fiber reduces fiber stacking and allows for a higher tuft bind, resulting in less fiber slippage.

For the Cubs, this means they will be playing on a safer, more consistent field which looks and performs more like growing grass than any other surface.

Coach West has noticed some other things, as well.

“I’ve been surprised at the fact that flyout of the crumb rubber infill has been absolutely minimal,” he said. “The ball bounces more closely resemble what you would see on natural grass.”

He is also happy with what the field has meant in practice.

“Anytime you’re on something that’s perfectly done, it’s easier to be in precision,” he said. “With receiver routes based on landmarks, the field is perfectly lined, so we have landmarks that don’t change. If you’re telling your defensive backs to drop to the numbers, the placement of the numbers is consistent all over the field.”

He also says that weather doesn’t worry him as much during practice anymore. If it looks like it’s going to rain too much, he can still practice on the AstroTurf®

In addition to the benefits for the program and its athletes, AstroTurf® can also provide the Cubs and other organizations with several benefits of an environmental nature.

According to the Synthetic Turf Council, a typical, well-maintained grass field can use anywhere from 500,000 – 1,000,000 gallons of water per year. The AstroTurf® field eliminates that need, as well as the need for pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals.

AstroTurf® fields utilize a high-performance, polyurethane backing system called BioCel™, which employs highly refined coal fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power plants, and bio-based polyols from soybeans.

The technology in AstroTurf® products can provide an additional 18 points toward LEED Certification.

Also, the crumb rubber infill systems used in AstroTurf® fields can keep 20,000 tires out of landfills.

Two other strong features of some AstroTurf® fields are TurfAide™, a non-chemical, antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and AstroFlect™ technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures.

“AstroTurf® systems are developed with the athlete in mind, while developing the science behind the sport,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf®.

AstroTurf® has made an investment in furthering research on synthetic turf fields and partnered with the University of Tennessee to create The Center for Safer Athletic Fields.

Additionally, in a study at Michigan State University funded by NFL Charities, an AstroTurf® product was determined to perform most like natural grass.

“We are excited about participating in the Cub Stadium project with the people of Brenham,” said Peeples. “We want to see the athletes perform at peak levels and see the growth of sports in the area because of this field.”

The first varsity game will be tonight, Friday, September 3, when the Cubs host Lamar Consolidated.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s only vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf®-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority and safety. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with RootZone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and AstroFlect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

SCHOOLS WITH NEW ASTROTURF® FIELDS KICK OFF SEASON WITH VICTORIES

For several high schools around the country, this past weekend was special for a few reasons.

First, it marked the first game of the 2010 season. Second, it marked the opening game on brand new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf® fields. Finally, it was all topped off with a victory celebration.

“It’s great to see these schools come out victorious,” said Bryan Peeples, President of AstroTurf®. “They made a commitment to install the finest playing surface on the planet, and it looks like they’ve also made a commitment to win.”

Baltimore area private school Calvert Hall College High School kicked it all off at Kelly Field with a victory over St. John’s D.C. 24-7. Calvert Hall was one of the first schools in the Baltimore area to have a synthetic turf field, but recently replaced the older surface thanks to a generous donation from Senator Francis X. Kelly.

In Missouri, Lee’s Summit West High School was victorious on the AstroTurf® in their first game. The Titans defeated Raymore-Peculiar by a score of 21-13.

Lovejoy High School christened the new field at Tara Stadium in Jonesboro, Georgia, with a victory over Mundy’s Mill by a score of 27-0.

Following a true test against a tough opponent, Pius X High School in Lincoln, Nebraska chalked up a victory. In a double-overtime thriller, the Thunderbolts completed a two-yard pass to defeat Omaha Gross 14-7.

Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Georgia, dedicated their new field Friday night with great expectations for the winners of two consecutive region championships. Down 19-16 to Adairsville, with a little over four minutes to play, the Panthers converted two touchdowns to come back and win 30-19.

Rome High School, another Georgia school now playing on AstroTurf®, opened on a new field with a new coach against a new high school and came out on top over John’s Creek High School 10-0.

Troy High School in Michigan cruised to an easy win over Romeo by a score of 31-7. Another Troy school, Troy Athens High School won its first home game in two years by defeating Warren Mott 31-19.

This weekend will mark even more debut games for schools with new AstroTurf® fields and, hopefully, they will all come away with a big win.

About AstroTurf®
For many athletes and sport enthusiasts, the AstroTurf® brand has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry’s only vertically integrated manufacturing system. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf®-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority and safety. Recent innovations from AstroTurf® include GameDay Grass™ 3D with Root Zone®, a polyethylene/nylon hybrid system which most closely replicates natural grass; TurfAide™, a non-chemical antimicrobial shield protecting against MRSA and other infectious bacteria; and astroflect™ Technology which significantly reduces turf surface temperatures. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.