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UW-W gets field of dreams

MADISON — The UW-Whitewater will be the first University of Wisconsin campus to have a baseball diamond with an artificial surface after the State Building Commission on Wednesday approved $1.74 million to change Prucha Field to synthetic turf.

“We’re going out on a limb here as not a lot of Division III schools have it. Maybe schools that are landlocked and pressed for space, but we’re not landlocked,” said UW-Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske.

He said the student-funded project will distance the Warhawk baseball program from others in the Midwest. The Warhawks took third place in this year’s NCAA Division III World Series.

“This will have a significant recruiting advantage … as we compete against other Division III and private schools with state-of-the art facilities,” said Plinske.

Synthetic turf’s sheds rain better than real turf, can be ready for use earlier in spring and is cheaper to maintain, Plinske said.

Clay will remain only on the pitcher’s mound and the home plate area.

Prucha Field also is in for upgrades to its lighting, bullpens, concessions, fencing and restrooms in conjunction with the new turf.

Meanwhile, Perkins Stadium is getting fitted with an artificial surface.

Although students voted to increase their fees to pay for Perkins new surface, Plinske said using student funds would delay completion of the project until well into this fall’s football season. Instead, a land-use agreement was struck with the UW Whitewater Foundation to use privately raised funds for Perkins’ surface and substitute student funds to resurface Prucha Field, said Plinske.