GRAND FORKS, N.D. — When Fighting Sioux baseball fans arrive at Kraft Field next spring, the home of the UND baseball team for the past 28 seasons will look dramatically different. The Grand Forks Park District, which operates the Apollo Park facility, began a renovation project this week that will see the infield at Kraft Field replaced by artificial grass and synthetic turf.

The project is expected to take approximately four to six weeks and is being completed by FieldTurf, a Tarkett Sports Company based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Grand Forks Park District and Blue Line Club, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth athletics in Grand Forks, teamed together to make these renovations a reality.

“This is not only going to be a great thing for baseball here in Grand Forks, but in the state of North Dakota as well,” UND head coach Jeff Dodson said. “I think it is also a great tribute to 'Pinky' Kraft and the legacy that he helped build in this town.” 

The UND baseball program will be one of several beneficiaries of the FieldTurf that will cover the entire infield portion of Kraft Field and extend into foul territory all the way to the backstop behind home plate. The renovations will also allow for home plate to move back 20 feet, making the dimensions of the field even larger.

“This is just another step in the right direction to get full completion of our projects at Apollo Park,” Bill Palmiscno, the superintendent of recreation for the GFPD, said. “This one will concentrate on Kraft Field and not only the artificial turf, but enlarging the dugouts and dressing up the team areas too.” 

The turf will also allow for the Fighting Sioux and local high school programs to access the field even earlier in the spring than in years past, allowing them to practice without having to worry about tearing up the field. 

Former UND player and head coach Brian Kraft, who now serves as the vice president for the Grand Forks Youth Baseball and Softball Association, acknowledged several benefits of adding the artificial surface.

“The turf is going to benefit baseball in Grand Forks from the start of spring throughout the summer,” Kraft said. “There will not be as much traffic on the field, there will be a lot of cost savings involved, especially on the maintenance side of things – no more dragging the field, repacking the mound and batter's box.

“When there are tournaments, like the one UND will host in the spring, the time between games will be cut down dramatically. This is going to be a great overall addition to Kraft Field and all the different programs in the community that use it.”

Dodson and the Fighting Sioux will be able to test out the new turf later this fall when their individual workouts are scheduled to be conducted. The team will practice of Diamond Four at Apollo Park while the installation is underway. 

– Go Sioux –