The next stage of the Grovehill Ballpark Development is well and truly under way. The contractors have commenced the work which will see the playing surface of the second diamond being levelled. Tractors, bulldozers and other specialist vehicles were out in force this afternoon on the second diamond along with various laser measuring equipment required for this type of project.
Apart from levelling the playing surface, the project will also involve the arduous task of grading the hill to make the home plate area and the foul territory around the infield aligned with the rest of the infield. This will create a bank similar to the one on the first base side of the first diamond. The one difference is that the hill next to the second diamond is much more pronounced and this will create a natural amphitheatre for spectators in the shade under the big trees, which will be a relief on those hot summer days, which usually see players and fans on the first diamond scrambling for their umbrellas as protection from the sun.
Once the playing surface has been levelled, the next step will be to inject the grass seed mixture into the surface. At that point the weather will play a vital role in how well the grass will grow. When the first rainfall occurs the grass seed will begin to germinate. It will be critical that there is plenty of rain after that to ensure a high quality grass surface in 2010.
This stage of the Grovehill Ballpark Development has been made possible thanks to the £5,000 grant awarded to Herts Baseball Club last month from the Dacorum Olympic and Paralympic Fund, administered jointly by Dacorum Borough Council and the Dacorum Sports Network.