Baseball Field Gets New Look
November 3, 2005

Ashland University’s Donges Field will have a new look when the Eagles open the home portion of the 2006 season, March 17-18, against Notre Dame College.

Renovations to the field began last May and were completed in early September. The comprehensive changes will cause AU diamond fans to pause and take a second look at the university’s baseball complex.

“Our facility went from near the bottom of the conference to the top of the conference,” said AU head baseball coach John Schaly. “Now our playing surface is at the top of the league. We think this will help us in recruiting. It’s instilled a little bit more pride in the program from current players and parents to alumni and the community.”

A summation of the improvements can be found below.

• Warning Track – A red crushed brick warning track goes all the way around the field. The track is 20 feet wide in the outfield and 15 feet wide in front of the dugouts and backstop.
• Irrigation System – Donges Field has a full field irrigation system. This includes dust controls for the infield dirt.
• Playing Surface – The entire field has been leveled thanks to laser grading.
• Field Improvements – Donges Field now features enclosed bullpens. New chain-link fencing runs from the dugouts to both outfield corners. The outfield fence is eight-foot high and made of plywood.