After 11 years of hosting countless games and events on a very worn turf baseball infield, Frederick Community College (FCC) recently celebrated the debut of a newly redesigned turf infield. The upgrade marks a significant milestone for FCC's athletic program, enhancing performance for players and aesthetics for fans.
 
Since 2014, the baseball turf infield has been a cornerstone of local sports. The FCC Cougars Baseball team, with nine National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series appearances, boasts a 195-42 home record since the field was first turfed in 2014. The field has also hosted the Hood College Blazers along with numerous Central Maryland Conference baseball championship games and recreational activities. 
 
The redesign features prominent elements such as mowing stripes on the infield turf, a striking Frederick “F” logo positioned between the backstop and home plate, the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference insignia along the third base side, and the prestigious NJCAA shield on the first base side. The NJCAA shield is stitched on only a handful of turf fields in the country. 
 
Recognized for its durability and quality, the field's recent makeover was made possible through collaboration with FCC Director of Athletics and Head Baseball Coach Rodney Bennett and Hellas Construction, renowned for their athletic field design and installation expertise.
 
“This installation of new turf and the branding not only enhances the playing experience but also reinforces FCC’s commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics,” said Coach Bennett. 
 
An unveiling ceremony welcomed distinguished guests including NJCAA President and CEO Dr. Christopher Parker, FCC President Dr. Annesa Cheek, FCC Vice President for Student Experience Dr. Benita Rashaw, and Sandy Smith, an FCC Hall of Famer and generous benefactor of FCC Athletics. 
 
Dr. Parker shared his admiration for FCC's commitment to innovation, stating, "We’re super proud that the NJCAA brand is on the new field. You see it on basketball courts, in field houses, and on fences, but to have it actually branded on a field, well, you don’t see that very often."
 
Funding for the infield upgrade was approved by the FCC Board of Trustees as part of ongoing capital budget allocations. The new infield, complemented by a grass outfield designed for optimal drainage, represents a continued investment in the FCC student experience and the broader Frederick community.
 
For information about FCC and its athletic programs, visit https://www.fccathletics.com/landing/index. For more details about the turf upgrade, contact Assistant Director of Athletics and Communications Michael Simone at 240.818.9208 or [email protected].