The Grass Is Greener At Four Winds Field

By: Chris Hagstrom

Despite cold weather looming, the transition to natural grass at Four Winds Field is complete. The project took only 20 days from start to finish, even though a normal field transition can range anywhere between six to eight weeks. But, "The Sod Father," Roger Bossard - head groundskeeper for the Chicago White Sox - knew that in order for the grass to take hold and properly set before the winter they had to act fast. 

Bossard and his executive team of Justin Spillman (assistant head groundskeeper, Chicago Cubs), Steve Horn (head groundskeeper, New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate) and Randy Stoneber (head groundskeeper, Northwestern University), along with over 50 local laborers, were able to complete the job with enough time for the grass to properly root before the cold weather could stop any growth.

 After the artificial turf was removed, the installation team dug trenches for the new irrigation system. More than a mile and a half of piping was laid and covered with 3,600 tons of sand. Before the grass could be brought in, 500 tons of special clay was set to shape the infield. 

Finally, on Oct. 21, the first strip of the Four Blend Blue Grass sod was set onto the infield. More than 100,000 feet of this special blend sod from Wisconsin was rolled out and set in just five days. Since then, the grass has been mowed once and fertilized twice before the cold weather set in. 

On April 9th 2015, the South Bend Cubs will be the first team to break in the new surface and usher in a new era of baseball in South Bend and at Four Winds Field.