Central Michigan University Athletics
Hilltopper Stabilizer Added to Margo Jonker Stadium
11/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan softball fans will notice a few changes at Margo Jonker Stadium when the Chippewas open the 2011 season this spring.
Throughout the fall, the infield and warning track were upgraded to provide a more consistent and safer playing surface for everyone utilizing the field.
The surface, which is called Hilltopper Stabilizer, is a synthetic dirt that is made of crushed lava/scoria rock. The Hilltopper surface is similar to a clay surface that allows for a more true bounce and will prevent as many injuries as compared to the old surface.
"Having the Hilltopper surface, which is a state of the art surface, should help our program tremendously," head coach Margo Jonker. "Our play should be more consistent and with our recruiting, players will take notice, because it looks great and it plays great."
In addition to a better quality surface, Hilltopper Stabilizer allows for earlier play following the winter months and spring rains. Instead of the ground soaking up the rain, the water beads on top of the synthetic dirt.
"The benefits of this product is the water no longer seeps into the ground and creates puddles," director of facilities/event management Kristen Kosuda said. "With this we will be able to get on the field much sooner. In addition, when we have big rain storms, we can use a product called a Dolphin that will suck up the rain. The chances of us having a rain out are a lot slimmer now."
The old infield surface was put to use just northwest of the stadium, creating a practice infield for the Chippewas softball squad.
"We have a practice infield surface set up now that will be helpful because we can work on slap hitting as well as some bunt coverage," Jonker said. "There are a lot of things we can do on that practice infield surface that will be very helpful with our practicing."
With a state-of-the-art surface, the facility adds an opportunity to host additional summer tournaments for high school softball programs, as well as drawing an attraction to the community members of Mount Pleasant.
“The softball project is part of our continual commitment to invest in our outstanding athletic facilities at Central Michigan University,” said Athletics Director Dave Heeke. “Our number one priority is for the safety and overall experience of our current student-athletes. In addition we want to provide venues that are highly attractive to prospective student-athletes and illustrate our overall commitment to a championship athletic culture at CMU. It is also important to have facilities that provide opportunities to host additional high-caliber athletic events which will bring a variety of people to our university and the Mount Pleasant community."
CMU will host it's first home contest of the 2011 season at Margo Jonker Stadium on Apr. 6 when they host Detroit.
Throughout the fall, the infield and warning track were upgraded to provide a more consistent and safer playing surface for everyone utilizing the field.
The surface, which is called Hilltopper Stabilizer, is a synthetic dirt that is made of crushed lava/scoria rock. The Hilltopper surface is similar to a clay surface that allows for a more true bounce and will prevent as many injuries as compared to the old surface.
"Having the Hilltopper surface, which is a state of the art surface, should help our program tremendously," head coach Margo Jonker. "Our play should be more consistent and with our recruiting, players will take notice, because it looks great and it plays great."
In addition to a better quality surface, Hilltopper Stabilizer allows for earlier play following the winter months and spring rains. Instead of the ground soaking up the rain, the water beads on top of the synthetic dirt.
"The benefits of this product is the water no longer seeps into the ground and creates puddles," director of facilities/event management Kristen Kosuda said. "With this we will be able to get on the field much sooner. In addition, when we have big rain storms, we can use a product called a Dolphin that will suck up the rain. The chances of us having a rain out are a lot slimmer now."
The old infield surface was put to use just northwest of the stadium, creating a practice infield for the Chippewas softball squad.
"We have a practice infield surface set up now that will be helpful because we can work on slap hitting as well as some bunt coverage," Jonker said. "There are a lot of things we can do on that practice infield surface that will be very helpful with our practicing."
With a state-of-the-art surface, the facility adds an opportunity to host additional summer tournaments for high school softball programs, as well as drawing an attraction to the community members of Mount Pleasant.
“The softball project is part of our continual commitment to invest in our outstanding athletic facilities at Central Michigan University,” said Athletics Director Dave Heeke. “Our number one priority is for the safety and overall experience of our current student-athletes. In addition we want to provide venues that are highly attractive to prospective student-athletes and illustrate our overall commitment to a championship athletic culture at CMU. It is also important to have facilities that provide opportunities to host additional high-caliber athletic events which will bring a variety of people to our university and the Mount Pleasant community."
CMU will host it's first home contest of the 2011 season at Margo Jonker Stadium on Apr. 6 when they host Detroit.
Softball MAC Tournament hype video
Tuesday, May 05
Softball Senior day recap
Monday, April 27
Softball vs Miami OH
Sunday, April 26
Softball vs Miami OH DH
Saturday, April 25