McKinley Sports (formerly JTSA Sports) partnered with AstroTurf on the renovation of Virginia Tech’s English Field, helping to transform the facility into one of NCAA Division I baseball’s premier playing surfaces. JTSA was responsible for the field design and worked closely with AstroTurf on key project components, including turf pattern development, shop drawings, and detailed roll layouts to ensure precision during installation.
The renovation involved converting the existing natural grass field into a high-performance synthetic surface that closely replicates the look, feel, and playability of natural grass. The design incorporated a combination of turf styles and pile heights tailored to each specific playing zone. The infield skinned areas and warning track feature a shorter pile height with a higher sand content, delivering the ball response and firmness of natural clay surfaces. In contrast, the outfield consists of longer-blade slit-film turf, providing bounce, hop, and roll characteristics similar to natural grass.
The result is a visually striking and functionally advanced field that supports elite-level performance while significantly reducing maintenance demands and extending the playable season for Virginia Tech’s baseball program.
