WOW!! The A's and Red Sox split the two game series and the success  of the event has been pretty hard to put a figure on.  The stadium was packed for both games (44,700) and the Red Sox nation ruled the crowds. If you put all that aside the event meant a lot to growing baseball worldwide.  This is our 4th visit to manage The Big Egg for an exhibition game and (second opener). Actually 3rd... but the 2001 Opener between the cubs and A's was postponed because we went to war with Iraq that spring.  Budge Clark actually came over to Tokyo for about 24 hours then they can can celled the event

Lots of thanks to a lot of guys (and gals)  making this event happen.  Chad Olsen is up there pretty high (along with Ann his wife for putting up with him being gone so long...mine too)  The crew at the big egg was great as usual and the pre game ceremonies was also pretty awesome.  We ended up doing more work this year than in the past. I think it was due to the multiple events the dome hosts..  Moshikito and Suzuki-son were the lead groundskeepers.  They led the crew with a great since of pride .  The tools they use to maintain the playing surface are very simple but at the same time very effective. next stop B'more!  Nationals opener this weekend should be fun! 

And by the way..all the huff about the Japanese Cherry Blossoms compared to the seasons in DC. Its all true.  They are spectacular everywhere you look in Tokyo.  This photo is across the street from the dome.

The batting practice set up photo is very common with japan teams as they put two batting cages together.  Its pretty wild to watch. 

Preparing for the 2008 MLB Opener between the Red Sox and the A's has been pretty interesting.  Folks at the dome have got this gig down pat, and they love their toys!  Each time we show up for an MLB event they always amaze me as to how they approach the projects.   Always with detail and concern...  Its a good group and considering the field is synthetic turf our job is a bit easier than Beijing.  The push is that we have have to totally rebuild the mounds and home plate in 48 hours.  This sounds like a lot of time but the  clay bricks are cumbersome.  Bagged clay would be better to use.  They have a ton of equipment but local supplies are limited.  When Dan Cunningham and I came over back in 2004 to help set up for the Yankees / Devil rays series , he had tried to ship over some soil amendments...well it never made it and each year there after I have asked if it made it through customs yet!   We were able to get tons of product through   customs in Beijing, but Japan is currently batting .000 for materials from the states.

It should be a fun series. All 6 games ( four exhibition and 2 regular season) are sold out/  I even think the pre-event B.P. is filling up the park.   They Love there baseball in Japan!!! 

We noticed something cool today.  They remove there logos from the field turf product with a floor scrubber.  This thing strips the paint right off the field turf and it looks great.   As we were replacing the clay around homeplate we also noticed a piece of concrete about 5 inches below the clay directly behind homeplate.  We were not concerned about the depth  of the concrete as its about 6 inches below the surface of the clay, just curious.  we soon found out that the concrete  was the sleeve for the goal post at the NFL football games.   

The games were successful according tot he MLB officials drawing about 25,000 for both nights.  More importantly to us the field played great.  Feedback from players and coaches was that the mounds infield etc were perfect. All that being said I need to thank the ground crew here in china all of which are students a the local university.  Along with Jeff Nancarrow, Erik Frye and Chad Olsen members of our brickman sports turf team that spent the last 3 weeks getting he field ready. 

Now its off to Japan for the final Asian series before heading home. 

Beijing - The first MLB game in china is under the belt with a 3-3 tie between the dodger and padres.  Last week this time we were having our doubts, but I remember the 2007 Olympic Test event here  at Wukesong stadium when we had 4 teams compete at the same venue.  I was really concerned about the fields and facility being ready.  Well 4 days before the event a thousand Chinese showed up for 4 days straight and took care of all the issues. Well Dejavu. 

Cant say it was a cake walk as we had our challenges with the field.   Dormant  Bermuda with partial overseeding.  The winters here are extremely harsh so germination was weak to say the least.  Frozen ground until last week added to the fun.  We overcame the obstacles with a lot of help from the local distributors of equipment and materials along with our friends in the states.  TORO came through with a turf dye that we used to blend the rye grass and dormant bermuda.  They helped us with a spray rig and I can honestly say that there customer service here is like none other in the world.   I think I get better customer service from them here than in the US!!!   It was a cool morning (34 degrees)  as you can see from the photo we had to "de-ice" the water hose in the morning before we could use it.  It was a Clear and windy day with a high of 59 and a low of 34.  Probably the windiest day we have had in the past couple weeks. Gusts up to 20 miles per hour and a steady 10-15.   Final game tomorrow!  We had no complaints about the field as it played pretty fast and true due to the low cut dormant bermuda. The mounds held up wonderfully and several pitchers stated they really liked the hill!  The mound clay from Gail materials out of San diego is a real keeper.  Thanks guys...you to Luke (Yoder)for helping get it here. 

BEIJING -  What do you get when carry a load of solid concrete blocks into the stands and sit on them for a smoke break?   This is a seating load test to determine if the temporary seating being installed for the Padres vs. Dodgers series can handle a crowd.   All I can say is only in china!

Progress is good on field preps. We had some delays due to a water main break last week that shut down the water for a week.  The field photos are a few weeks apart...and yes, it a little smoggy!

The Diamond Pro soil amendments we had delivered from the states have really helped in drying out our baselines and homeplate apron.  The areas have been in the shade most of the winter and if you dig down about 8 inches the ground is still frozen. 

Soil temperatures at  3 inches have not been very desirable for growing grass but its coming along this week with surface temperatures at 60.

Taichung - Since the World cup event in November of 2007, I have mentioned the Dou Liou stadium as being the best kept secret in all of the baseball world as it relates to Asian ballparks. Mexico and Taipei played in front of a packed house  to officially showcase the park for the 2008 Olympic Qualifier.  Taipei won 6-1. Now that both stadiums are up an running the tournament (which ends in 5 days) will soon settle the next Olympic teams to join USA, Japan, China and Cuba in Beijing.   Canada, Chinese Taipei and Korea have jumped out to a 2-0 start.  Just thinking ...if Chinese Taipei and Korea qualify for the Olympics during the tournament,  4 of the 8 teams competing in the 2008 Olympics will be from Asia.  Japan and China have already qualified.  That will set up some tremendous rivalries in the Olympics along with the most important value..showing the IOC that baseball is truly and international game. 

Taichung - With Opening ceremonies behind us its time to get into some excellent baseball here in Taiwan as 8 countries compete for three spots in the 2008 Olympics.  Jeff, Brandon and there Taiwan grounds crews have done a great job getting he fields ready for the event.  Some interesting clay mixing equipment was exhibited during the field renovations. They combine crushed clay bricks and water to create the packing clay needed for the mound and plates using a small cement mixer type equipment that will then dump the clay into wheelbarrows .   Also using a airgun to paint the field was quiet interesting  as it was done using to typical 2x4s.   With typical pomp and circumstance Taiwan lit up the skies with fireworks.  You should check out the games on IBAF's web site to follow your fave country. http://www.ibaf.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=32

We have been preparing for a crazy month in Asia for the past several weeks.  The first tournament to start is in Taichung, Taiwan March 7-14.   IBAF is hosting the final Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Games.  Eight teams are competing for 3 slots. Favorites are Australia, Canada, Mexico and obviously Taiwan and Japan.  Over 40 minor league players from the states will be playing for there country during the tournament. 

Brandon Putnam, Sportsturf manager for the York Revolution is overseeing the stadium in the city of Tio Liu which is about 45 minutes outside of Taichung.  Jeff Nancarrow sportsturf manager for the Charles County Bluecrabs is holding down the fort at the Intercontinental stadium in Taichung.  I would have to say the ballpark in Tio Liu is probably the finest outdoor stadium in all of Asia.  From the seating bowl to locker rooms the ballpark is comparable to a triple A park in the states.  intercontinental stadium is nice as well.

Erik Frye is preparing the field in Beijing for the Padres vs Dodgers exhibition series which takes place in about 12 days.  Weather is looking better as the temperatures are currently slated to be in the low 60's.  More to come on this project as we get a little closer.  We still have the plastic on the field trying to trick the ryegrass that its really warmer than it thinks.   It comes off today!