Stabilizer Solutions

2010 All-Star Game Recap: Infield Mix, Warning Track and Mound Clay Activity

Stabilizer Solutions — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:27:11 -0700

Beginning on July 7th and wrapping up on July 14th, Major League Baseball’s All-Star week was full of activity on and off the field for Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. showcasing the company’s Infield Mix, Warning Track Mix and Mound Clay.

On Monday, July 12th, Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. was recognized for its donation of "Stabilizer®
Ballyard Clay,":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/29 bases, home plate, and pitching rubber during the dedication at MLB and the Angels All-Star Complex at Pioneer Park. The dedication hosted hundreds of fans and featured speeches from the Angels Baseball Foundation Chairman Mark Merhab, Mayor of Anaheim Curt Pringle, and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.

MLB and Angels All-Star Complex Dedication

Later that evening, Head Groundskeeper Barney Lopas estimated that "Hilltopper® Warning Track Mix":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/11 withstood over 500 people on the field for the 2010 Home Run Derby.

Finishing touches on the Hilltopper® Warning Track before the Home Run Derby

Post Derby Maintenance

On Tuesday, July 13th, finishing touches were made on the Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club renovation. The renovation featured a brand new "Stabilizer® Pro Red Infield":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/37. Angels Owner Arte Moreno, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, Boy and Girls Club CEO Roxanne Spillet and dozens of Santa Ana youth had the opportunity to try out the field first hand.

Arte Moreno, Miguel Pulido, and Roxanne Spillet among others on "Pro Red"

Later that night, Barney Lopas and his crew were moving non stop during the 2010 All-Star Game. "Stabilizer®":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/32 in the infield and "Hilltopper® Mound Clay":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/9 were hard at work keeping the pitchers duel moving quickly for the grounds crew.

Post game media activity

Finally, Stabilizer Solutions was recognized on the field before the Angels game on Sunday, July 18th along with Magical Builders and the other vendors who donated to the MLB and Angels All-Star Complex and the Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club.

Stabilizer Solutions Gives Kids the Big-League Treatment During All-Star Week

Stabilizer Solutions — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:05:25 -0700

*Company donates $8,000 in products to help refurbish ballparks benefitting California youth*

Future All-Star hopefuls at the Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club in Santa Ana, California will get a leg-up on the competition after their baseball and softball fields are refurbished on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, during Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week. Stabilizer Solutions, Inc., a soil technology company, has donated approximately 80 tons of their patented "Stabilizer® Pro Red Infield Mix":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/37 to help the Magical Builders charity improve the field and give the children the advantage of playing on the same field as their current baseball heroes.

“These kids will be playing on the same materials that the Angels play on in Phoenix during spring training and in Anaheim during the official season,” said Stabilizer Solutions President Jon Hubbs. “This infield mix is stabilized with an "organic soil binder":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/32 that controls moisture and dust, reduces field maintenance costs and reduces injuries from slipping.”

As well, Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. donated 26 tons of Stabilizer® Pro Red Infield Mix and 3 tons of Stabilizer® Ballyard Clay to the Angels and MLB All-Star Complex at Pioneer Park – a donation totaling over $8,000. This is the first year that Stabilizer Solutions has participated in All-Star Week, but plans are already underway for next year’s event. “We hope to make this an on-going tradition,” said Hubbs. “As a supplier to the Angels Baseball Foundation, we’re committed to participating in more initiatives that will keep our youth living active lifestyles.”

Stabilizer Solutions products are used in stadiums and ballparks around the world. To find out more, visit www.stabilizersolutions.com.

World Cup Round 2, U.S. Could Experience 'Home Turf' Advantage

Stabilizer Solutions — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:52:12 -0700

On Wednesday, the U.S. defeated Algeria 1-0 on a goal made in the 91st minute by Landon Donovan, advancing them to round two of World Cup play. With their eyes focused on Soccer City, site of the World Cup final match, the U.S. may find a home field advantage from an unexpected place in the second round: the turf.

Why? Because approximately three years earlier, the United States national team had stunned the Mexican team, and much of the world, with a 2-0 victory on a similar playing surface at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Now, at 4 of the 8 second round stadiums—Ellis Park, Vodacom Park (Free State), Moses Mabhida, and Soccer City—the U. S. may reap the benefits of a familiar playing surface produced back home. The integration of Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. "*StaLok® Fiber*":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/17 into the root zone of both the University of Phoenix Stadium and Soccer City, creates a ‘fiber reinforced natural turf’ playing surface, ideal for the team's opportunistic style of play.

StaLok® Fiber, a synthetic fiber that mimics a natural grass root, stabilizes the root zone underneath the turf so the surface can withstand the constant impact it experiences during sporting events like the World Cup. With overnight temperatures dipping into the low 30’s F, the overseeded warm season grass cannot effectively repair itself after the abuse it receives during a World Cup soccer match. The StaLok® Fiber distributes the impact the players have on the surface throughout the rootzone, effectively increasing the turf's load bearing capacity. This helps maintain a stable footing for Clint Dempsey's stepover or Donovan's foot shuffles, on a field that may see 540-plus minutes of soccer.

It is no question that 'fiber reinforced natural turf' ensures the game can be played the way it was meant to be played, on natural turf. In the 2008 NFL Players Association Playing Surfaces Opinion Survey, 72% of players preferred to play on natural grass, while the StaLok® Fiber field of University of Phoenix Stadium was voted the best grass playing surface in the league.

Finally, StaLok’s® ability to maintain the rootzone network structure during frost and rain is also essential in an open-air stadium like Soccer City. So, should the United States national team find itself, on July 11, 2010, playing the final match at Soccer City, they will know, at least, they have a home turf advantage.

Back to Back ASLA Awards for Ten Eyck, Decomposed Granite Plays Role

Stabilizer Solutions — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:40:43 -0700

Christy Ten Eyck and her team were recently awarded an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) "*honor award*":http://www.asla.org/2010awards/316.html for her living laboratory design at The College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (CALA) at the University of Arizona. That is two ASLA honor awards in the past two years. To put it in perspective, only twelve projects from around the world are honored each year, Ten Eyck has truly accomplished something rare. We are so excited to announce that "*Stabilizer®*":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/4 was used to stabilize the decomposed granite for each of these well-regarded projects.

"This project shows us everything that we should find in a university landscape. Not a blurred interpretation of "native" but rather a commitment to accuracy. An innovative and progressive incorporation of natural systems and social spaces. Blending the functional aspects with social spaces is a rare commitment to this level of honesty. ”
—2010 Professional Awards Jury

Arizona is home to both projects and last year's award winner, the Arizona State University BioDesign Institute, earned the first ever LEED Platinum Certification in the state. This year's winner is just as unique having been constructed without a large budget, illustrating that life promoting environments are born from the balances we strike between human and plant, hardscape and nature. In balancing the hardscape with nature (Stabilized DG) the urban heat island effect is reduced allowing for 5 distinct Arizona biomes to exist within this one project. Read more about this incredible project "*here.*":http://uanews.org/node/31970

"Amending" Infields On A Budget, as seen in SportsTurf Magazine

Stabilizer Solutions — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:08:13 -0700

Infield amendments can be a simple way to instantly improve the playability of your infield on a budget. SportsTurf Magazine featured this article in the March issue. To read the article click "*here*":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/uploads/document/file/49/Amending_Infields_On_A_Budget.pdf

St. Joseph’s Heritage Park named 2009 ASA Softball Complex of the Year

Stabilizer Solutions — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:27:45 -0700

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today that the Heritage Park Softball Complex in St. Joseph, Mo., has been selected as the 2009 ASA Complex of the Year presented by Stabilizer Solutions Ballyard Products. In addition to receiving the award, the Heritage Park Softball Complex will also receive approximately $2,000 in field maintenance products from Stabilizer Solutions.

“Congratulations to Heritage Park for receiving the 2009 ASA Complex of the Year Award,” said Stabilizer Solutions President Jon Hubbs. “Stabilizer Solutions is proud to partner with the ASA on this award for the fourth consecutive year. It is an honor to be able to recognize one of the top ASA softball facilities in the nation and encourage others to strive for this award.”

Previous award winners are the Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, Ga., in 2008, and Freedom Ridge Park Complex in Ridgeland, Miss., in 2007. The Field of Dreams Complex in Las Cruces, N.M., won the inaugural 2006 award.

“This prestigious award from the ASA and Stabilizer Solutions validates the efforts of the staff which operates the Heritage Park Softball Complex,” St. Joseph’s Senior Recreation Supervisor Mike Halloran said. “This park which has hosted numerous state, regional and national championship events will use this designation to attract and retain quality championship events. Each and every person associated with Heritage Park, from the maintenance, concession, administration and volunteer staffs will cherish this award.”

Heritage Park, operated by the City of St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities Department, opened in spring 2003, following two years of construction from October 2001 to March 2003. The 25-acre facility has five playing fields overseen full-time by Brian Jackson, the athletic field supervisor. The fields are used year round for softball tournaments, most recently including the 2009 ASA Girls' A 14-Under Fast Pitch Northern National Championships, and even a one-day community fitness and kickball day.

“One of the original goals of Heritage Park since its opening in 2003, is to try to make it better each day, each month and especially each year,” Halloran said. “The staff prides itself on keeping the facility, especially the playing fields in great shape on a daily basis. Along with the manicured grounds, treating each and every visitor to the complex with the utmost in kindness, courtesy and respect is of the utmost importance to each and every staff person and volunteer.”

The facility also has a 42 by 54 foot playground area that is covered with a shade structure to prevent injury from foul balls. Three sides of the playground are fenced while the fourth side has benches with shade for parents. Heritage Park also has two areas between fields, one a deck area and another a flat brick patio, that are covered with umbrellas, often providing a comfortable place to eat the affordable food and drink from the concession stand.

In 2010, Heritage Park will host the ASA Girls' B 18-Under Fast Pitch Northern National Championships along with a variety of other ASA approved events.

About ASA

The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation's largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 77 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 210,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.

This article was submitted by Jamie Blanchard, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications for ASA/USA Softball

Winners, NFCA Fields of the Year

Stabilizer Solutions — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:06:59 -0700

Without Further Delay, The Winner’s Please.

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announce the 2009 Field of the Year in the following categories.

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

Division I: Farrington Softball Stadium at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Coming off their 2008 season, the busiest yet, Farrington Stadium hosted 52 teams and 73 games over 101 days. And 101 is a familiar number for the Sun Devil’s as they begin fall workouts in August when temps exceed 100 degrees. Proudly, ASU has Stabilizer “Pro Red” Infield Mix(from yours truly) to help them through the extremes. Pete Wozniak and his crew are the driving force behind the success of Farrington Stadium and the Lady Sun Devil’s.

From News

Division II & III: Sherman-Larkins Field at Pacific Oregon University in Forest Grove, OR. Immaculately manicured with ample facilities, and nested in an idyllic setting, fans can comfortably take in a game at this Pacific Northwest oasis. Great job to groundskeeper Brian Cool and Head Coach Tim Hill for meticulously maintaining one of this region’s premier softball facilities.

From News

Community College: Ranney Park at Lansing Community College in Lansing, MI. Ranney Park, a 100 year-old testament to the power of the sport. It has undergone multiple facelifts over the years, but through it all softball has been played! Not only is Ranney Park home field for Lansing Community College it also hosts men and women’s ASA tournaments and it stays young by doing its part for the community hosting summer youth softball leagues. Mark Mayhoe, Dan Perry, Coach Bob Every, and the LCC coaching staff are responsible for keeping this historical place looking and feeling young!

From News

High School: Paradise Valley High School in Paradise Valley, AZ. Five years of endless hard work has transformed this field beyond the expectations of your everyday high school field. Head Coach and Head Groundskeeper, David Moore, has devoted so much time to the field it’s been termed ‘the other woman' (we could not reach his real wife for comment). Beyond this title, the field boasts multiple upgrades including, a new warning track, irrigation system, and turf, and an attractive addition to the park’s entrance.

From News

It is an honor for Stabilizer Solutions to be the official playing surface of the NFCA and we are happy to award those fields that have taken that next step to raise the level of the game.

Submit for 2009 NFCA Field of the Year Award

Stabilizer Solutions — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:30:39 -0700

*Stabilizer Solutions, Inc.* is excited to partner with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association to present the *2009 Field of the Year Award* to honor outstanding grounds maintenance and exceptional playing surfaces for one college and one high school facility each year. This years' winners will be recognized at the 26th Annual NFCA Convention as well as in the Fastpitch Delivery publication. Winners also receive a pallet of *Hilltopper® Mound Clay, the evolution of mound clay* (a $480 value), from Stabilizer Solutions. You can read more about Hilltopper® "here":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/product/view/36.

With this email you'll find an easy to use 'fillable' form. Just click in the fields, enter your information, save the form and attach it to your response email. Please don't forget to email us photos of your field!

*Deadline for submission is October 31, 2009.*

You can read more about the 2008 Winners by clicking on their names:
"Sharon J. Drysdale field at Northwestern Univeristy.":http://nfca.org/news/?id=3031.
"Morris Hunter Field at Southaven High School":http://www.nfca.org/news/?id=3030.

From News

Sharon J. Drysdale Field at Northwestern University

We look forward to seeing the evolution of your field. *Remember the deadline for submission is October 31, 2009.* If you have any questions at all, email or call us at *800.336.2468.*

*Notes on the form: You can use Adobe Acrobat or Reader to fill in the form.
Get the free Adobe Reader 9 from "adobe":http://www.adobe.com/go/reader

Fill in the form on your computer, save it, and send it to us as an email attachment to *info@stabilizersolutions.com, OR fill in the form on your computer, print the document, and send it to us via mail at *Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. 33 S 28th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034.*

Download the form "here":http://www.stabilizersolutions.com/uploads/document/file/48/FIELD_OF_THE_YEAR_SUBMISSION_FORM.pdf

Green & Brown = Gold Continued 2

Stabilizer Solutions — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:14:10 -0700

*Project Profile:* Teardrop Park, New York, NY

*Application:* The “Lawn Bowl” landforms / multi-use green space

Teardrop Park is unique in its scope to open dialogue between human construction and naturalism. Designed with children in mind, the project provides opportunities for discovery and play within the constructed natural environment instead of common playground equipment. Teardrop Park was designed alongside strict guidelines for sustainability utilizing scientific studies to shape the concept. Set between multiple high-rise apartment buildings and steps from the river, solar and wind studies determined the layout of the park. The *Lawn Bowl,* where *StaLok® Fibers* were used to reinforce the root-zone of the grass, was tilted southward to better absorb the natural light. According to solar studies, the “Lawn Bowl” occupies an area with the longest hours of sunlight so children can roll and run and sunbathers can make the most of the day.

*Architect:* Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.,
New York, NY & Cambridge, MA

*Client:* The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority
*Artists:* Ann Hamilton & Michael Mercil, Columbus, OH

*Awards* "2009 ASLA Professional Awards Honor Award in the General Design category":http://www.asla.org/2009awards/001.html

From News

The *Lawn Bowl* turf area reinforced with StaLok® Fibers Teardrop Park, NYC

Green & Brown = Gold Continued

Stabilizer Solutions — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:13:42 -0700

This post is a continuation of the previous post.

*Project Profile:* Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (2009)

*Application:* Pathway & Amphitheater/Gathering spaces

The Biodesign Institute is not only the new “green” gateway to the campus of Arizona State University, but also to sustainable practices in the arid Southwest. The aim of the new research institute is to prevent and cure disease and overcome pain and injury, and the design echoes this purpose. The mesquite bosque (forest) shares the amphitheater space with the permeable *Stabilizer®* and decomposed granite, healing the ground that was once covered by asphalt. The building actually nourishes this desert riparian and bajada habitat unique to the region by harvesting HVAC condensation and stormwater. Retention basins dislocated from the flora and fragmenting landscape practices are left behind in favor of a seamless and interconnected space. Shade and plant life visually and literally connect building practices with the landscape, and sustainability with quality of life.

*Awards* "2009 ASLA Professional Awards Honor Award in the General Design category":http://www.asla.org/2009awards/487.html
*Landscape Architect:* Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Inc.,
Phoenix, AZ & Austin, TX
*Architect:* Gould Evans
*General Contractor:* Sundt and DPR
*Landscape Contractor:* Grounds Control

From News

Lower-level amphitheater with Stabilizer, The Original Natural Binder and decomposed granite.

From News

Amphitheater entry with Stabilizer, The Original Natural Binder and decomposed granite.

From News

Façade of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.