The 49ers show of the new turf on a cloudless day. Photo by Benjamin Robson 

The pings from metal bats and the thump of a ball hitting the distressed leather of the glove are a clear indicator that it is once again baseball season in Charlotte. While things seem to be normal, there is one huge difference that lays in Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium: the natural grass and dirt infield was replaced by artificial turf.

The infield made the transition to turf during winter break, leaving the field half-and-half with the outfield remaining natural grass. The new addition to the stadium cost around $300,000 but was needed due to drainage issues.

With the construction that has gone on in the area surrounding the stadium, damage has been done to the pipes that take water away from the field. Last spring there were 31 practices were cancelled or relocated due to weather. More than 50 home games were affected by the weather over the past three seasons.

During the planning period, Charlotte seeked advice from other programs that have made the switch to turf infields. One of the main programs that aided the 49ers was Dallas Baptist. The Charlotte organization has a good relationship with their program, and Dallas turfed their infield a few years ago. From Dallas, Charlotte was able to get tips on safety.

“Dan Heefner, the head coach there [Dallas Baptist], recommended that we do six to seven feet off of where the infield would be. They did not do that and they had some problems with infielders playing back in the grass and then coming onto the turf,” head coach Loren Hibbs said. “So we added that extra strip back there and I’m really glad that we did.”

Over time a majority of the conference has made the change to the artificial infield. Rice, Florida Atlantic, Florida Internation and UAB all have turf infields. Louisiana Tech has taken the next step and turfed their whole field. While it would be nice, a fully turfed field isn’t in Charlotte’s near future.

Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium. Photo by Benjamin Robson

“Would I like to have everything turfed? Yeah, but that’s almost a million dollars to do that and we have other things going on. Our grass in the outfield is extraordinary, and the drainage wasn’t damaged out there,” Hibbs said.

The entire baseball program welcomes the change for one main reason: The low maintenance that comes with the turf.

“It’s just a lot more efficient for everybody,” Hibbs said.

The lack of field work is a perk most of the players are excited about as well.

“It’s nice knowing that as soon as practice is over that we’re done. All we have to do is come out here and work on getting better,” junior pitcher and first baseman Logan Sherer said.

The addition of turf has changed the play of the ball, as it will come at the infielders quicker and on turf hops play very true.

“It took a little bit to get used to, but it’ nice. We had a good surface last year, but this is great,” Sherer said.

Prior experience will help players will be able to help the players with some of the different aspects of playing on the turf, especially sliding

“I haven’t slid on this yet, but from the past I know you have to slide a lot earlier or you’ll slide right past it,” redshirt senior Derek Gallello said.

Charlotte kicks their season off this weekend, playing William and Mary, Friday at 3 p.m. in Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.