Boosters donating artificial turf for Black Hills High School baseball field

Baseball boosters at Black Hills High School are donating artificial turf for the school’s baseball field ahead of the spring season.

The boosters received approval for the donation by the Tumwater School District Board of Directors at a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23.

The artificial turf is going to replace about 3,005 square feet of infield dirt; a 6-foot high chain link fence is also going to be installed at the ball field.

The board made the decision after a presentation by Tumwater Director of Facilities Mel Murray.

“This is addressing the high traffic areas of the baseball field — the first and third base (lines), the pitcher’s mound … and home plate area,” Murray said. 

He added that the donation is a “way to test drive” the concept for free, whether it works, and then apply it to an entire baseball and/or softball field if it does. 

One of the owners of Christensen, Inc., a public works general contractor, is going to oversee the construction work. The contractor has partnered with the district for decades. 

Murray said a local civil engineer has provided engineering plans, including stormwater design and builidng permits, for submission to city staff.

“These field improvements will allow the Black Hills Baseball Team to utilize their field space throughout various seasons and weather conditions. This improved space will move the facility closer to the caliber of those in surrounding communities like Chehalis, Shelton and Olympia,” wrote Black Hills High School Principal Dave Myers in a donation letter. 

The district is going to assume all maintenance of the donated material, as the donation does not include terms of usage and maintenance.  

Improvements 

An area of turf is also going to be installed past the dugouts on each side for outdoor bullpen and batting cages.  

The turf is going to have inlaid striping, which allows for less striping tasks during games, and for the field to be playable in extreme weather that might delay or cancel games.  

The left and right field foul line fences are going to be angled from the end of the dugouts to the fence outside the foul lines. That will create space for bullpens and hitting cages to be built in the future. 

The improvements are expected to be completed by the start of the spring baseball season at the end of March 2026.