The fields are not to be used for intramural sports or for unapproved events due to “concern about the use” said Jim Farrell, assistant director of campus grounds and women’s softball coach. “While in season, we groom the [softball] infield,” he said.

When it rains, or if there is too much moisture, the fields become damaged easier, he explained.

“We don’t have great drainage on all of the fields,” said Layne Kreh, athletic facility director.

Campus services and the athletic department want to keep the game fields game-ready. Both Farrell and Kreh spoke about an event that was held on the softball field last year by one of the dorms. The event had not been approved by campus services or the athletic department.

“The condition of the field was unplayable,” Farrell said.

Kreh said there was “$500 worth of damage to the field.”

“There has been such an investment in the fields,” Kreh said. About four or five years ago, water holding tanks were put in on the soccer game field in an effort to keep water from sitting on the soccer game field. “We put in those holding tanks so that we can at least get rid of the water, then water is pumped out to a different location.”

This year a game was moved to MVP Sportsplex, a local sports facility, because the field was unplayable.

“If the game fields are unplayable there are enough locations around the area as far as synthetic fields that we can play on,” Kreh said.

By keeping students off the fields, campus services can better maintain the conditions of the grass and the clay on the softball field to prevent damage.

“We really protect those fields as much as possible in order to make sure they are the best fields we can give to our athletic teams,” Kreh said.

Students are also not allowed to use the baseball field, which is used as a practice field for the soccer teams in addition to the official soccer practice field near the commuter parking lot and the soccer game field, Kreh said.

“It is unfortunate that there is not like an intramurals field or something that is set up specifically for that,” Farrell said.

Kreh pointed out other locations for students to play.

“The fields students can use are located on Bradford Street and the one in front of Van Osdel Hall, students can play there anytime,” Kreh said.

For policy procedures, or if you want to coordinate an event on any of the fields, contact Kreh at layne_m_kreh@cornerstone.edu or (616) 222-1546.