July 9, 2008 (Early)

JULY 9, 2008 - Early
Black is (for the) beautiful (game)!

Today was the day that most of the soccer pitch markings were cut into the surface. The center circle will eventually "contain" the midfield logo -- a royal blue block-Z.

The goalkeeper's crease in the east end zone was shaved out and the crease boundary was laid in.

Three members of The Motz Group's crew worked together to get the lines in as efficiently as possible. The glue went in just ahead of the line.

The black line that ran alongside the 10-yard line in the west end was removed outside of the penalty box area. It will be inlaid with green turf. The perpendicular line to the goal line in the end zone will, of course, be in black. The touch lines (sidelines) will be wider than the football field and will be among the final pieces added to the turf. In this photo, you can also see the crew has begun the task of setting the hashmarks for football -- a set along each sideline and two sets down the middle of the field.

A close-up of the work done for the center circle. Note how it gives the appearance that the football lines are laid over top of the soccer line.

Strings were used to set where the lines would be cut into the turf.

Two key pieces of equipment stand ready for the final part of the field installation. The topdresser behing the tractor (at right) will lay down the rubber-and-sand mixture, and the brush will work it into the "grass blades." Once finished, it will feel just like a natural grass surface. This part of the process is still a few days away ... and will take a few days in its own right.

John D. Sulsberger

Memorial Stadium