From Grass to Turf: Enhancing the Game Experience for the Mallards

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Warner Park, home to the Madison Mallards and the newly established Madison Night Mares, has undergone a significant transformation, ensuring an enhanced experience for players and fans alike. Under the meticulous care of the Director of Operations, Will Kenne, the park's new artificial turf and innovative field management practices are set to improve local baseball and softball events.

Raised in Central Iowa, Kenne began his journey in field management as a high school student prepping baseball and softball fields. “I started with a summer job, working hard on a complex of eight different fields,” he recalls. This initial exposure sparked a passion that led him to pursue further opportunities in the field.

His educational journey took him to the University of Iowa, where he managed the baseball team and honed his turf maintenance skills. “Maintaining turf at Iowa, especially given the challenges of early spring games, was a learning curve. It's different from grass and dirt but equally demanding,” he explains.

The decision to transition to artificial turf at Warner Park was driven by practicality and versatility. “The main reason was to accommodate our new softball team and to allow flexibility for different age groups and event types,” he states. “The artificial turf enables quick adjustments of base paths and the use of a portable youth mound and outfield fence, enhancing the park’s adaptability.”

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