Tottenham Oldtimers Slo-Pitch League

 (Make sure you scroll to the bottom every day this week to follow the progress)

Indeed it is.....  And so is this guy!

This just looks like Dennis Short but, it is actually Darwin Barney of the Toronto Blue Jays.  This picture was taken when he was with the Chicago Cubs, but it's definitely Darwin Barney.  And he's still a former gold glove winner. And what did Barney had to say about the new dirt infield at the Rogers Centre?  Only this, "It looks beautiful, I think it's going to be really an experience for everybody.  It's looking more like a ball park and it is going to play just fine for us."

Gold Glover.  Happy.  Good sign.  

Why should you care?

Well our Councilor was at it again late last fall, putting together a consortium to assist in repairs at Coventry.  

What if I told you that Chris Ross was able to secure the same guy that did the Rogers Centre?

What if I told you that guy also played in our league?

Yes, the Hurtin' Units' own Gord Dol who owns Dol Turf (his equipment pictured above at Rogers Centre) was contracted to rework the diamonds at Coventry.  

What is he doing exactly?  Well here are a few items:

• Cutting back the infield with laser sites to make a uniform distance all the way around. 
• Removing the lip between the infield and outfield and leaving a clean edge
• Leaving a clean edge and grooming the warning tracks 
• Churning the dirt infields to crush and remove larger stone and blend the various grades of sand. 
• Crowning the infields to allow rain to run off and drain to 1st, 3rd, and the outfield naturally.
• Cleaning and removing growth from beneath all fences (1st, 3rd, and outfield)
• All work is expected to be complete prior to opening day (May 2nd), weather permitting.   

Our intrepid reporter Gina Heisz was at Coventry today and got some pictures and commentary.

MONDAY 

C1, with the clean edge cut out

C

C2, measured but not quite cut yet

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C3, looking pretty

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The outfield being rolled!  Good news for our outfielders.  

According to our reporter, the fields are extremely hard so while the first roll helped, there is more to do.  It is hoped that this evening's rain will help make a bigger difference when they roll again tomorrow.  

Tuesday

New garbage cans might not seem like a big deal, but those who were at the clean up would know that our existing cans were rusted out with no bottoms which only added to more litter.  This is kind of a big deal and pretty cool to boot!

Well, look at the difference after a 2nd day of rolling!!!  Gorgeous lines!  This is starting to look suspiciously like a baseball field. 

Wednesday

Today was a little tough with the executive meeting, but here's some of the equipment the boys have been working with.

Thursday

Today was pretty cool....

C2 is having work done on the warning tracks.  And as I sort of suspected our warning track is about 3 times as big as those on a major league baseball field.  The amount of material to cover is an issue as well as uniform size throughout, however, they will be leveled and cleaned by opening day. 

This is the same groovy machine that appeared in the first picture taken at the Rogers Center. 

And here it is in action.  The tripod in the background has a laser site which sends a signal to the blade on the grader.  The blade moves up and down to scrape or add dirt making the perfect grade. 

And this is what C1 looks like as of Thursday at 5:30pm.  This is pre-grade.  Pretty neat seeing all the diamonds at different stages of development!

Check back tomorrow.