EA baseball diamond receives polishing
Published 4:37 am Wednesday, February 23, 2005
By Staff
Tim Cottrell
The Escambia Academy Cougar baseball team is discovering that the grass is greener on the other side.
The school recently resodded the infield of its baseball field, and is preparing other changes in the future.
Head baseball coach Mike Harrell was happy to see the changes made.
"We resodded in January," Harrell said. "But we're still working on it. The field was due for some changes."
Escambia Academy Athletic Director Jason Allen echoed Harrell's sentiments.
"The playing surface was not level," Allen said.
Harrell then went further.
"It was holding water and the mound was unlevel," Harrell said. "We replaced the centipede grass with some bermuda grass and added a bit more drainage below the infield."
Harrell was also pleased with how well the surface has turned out.
"It's definitely a better playing surface," Harrell said. "There are also a lot of people we want to thank for helping us. Jaye's Construction was a big donor for us."
"We'd also like to thank Kenny Smith for helping us install some of the drainage," Allen said.
Despite getting a better infield, Harrell did not wish to stop there.
"We've already gotten a new wind screen," Harrell said. "We've also spruced up the dugout. Now we're looking to get a wall in centerfield, a new scoreboard, lights, a better visitor's dugout. Not that we can do all that this year, but we'd like to do it eventually.
The Cougars will open their season March 4 at Patrician Academy for the Patrician Tournament.