Field of Bearcat dreams

Field of Bearcat dreams Pilot Point baseball field nears completion

The installation of the field turf at the Pilot Point High School baseball field is wrapping up just in time for the start of the 2026 season.

After months of work, the $1.66 million project is scheduled to be completed this week, and the Bearcats will be able to take the field for practice on Monday.

“It’s going to be a game changer, not just for this year, but for the future of our program,” said Pilot Point head baseball coach Tyler Vernon. “We had a lot of practices and games rained out, and this should minimize that problem tremendously, so our players can get out there and continue working hard for each other, their school, and the city of Pilot Point.”

Paragon Sports Constructors removed the existing grass surface and installed 113,000 square feet of Shaw Sports’ field turf material.

The new playing surface uses three different types of turf on the warning track, the base path, and the infield and outfield to replicate the feel of a natural grass and clay field.

The turf system also uses a combination of sand and rubber crumbs to provide similar firmness to a natural field, especially in the infield, which helps the ball bounce and roll as it would on dirt and grass.

The renovations to the field also include a drainage system consisting of a stabilized subgrade, an impermeable liner, drain stone and a drainpipe system underneath the new playing surface.

“The improved drainage of the field is one of the big benefits of turf over natural grass,” said Katie Markovich, Paragon Sports Constructors vice president of marketing. “After rain events you can typically take the field faster, and you don’t have to deal with the muddy areas in the infield or the warning track or any ponding like you would on a natural field, so it’s a major benefit for the games.”

Another benefit of the new playing surface is the reduced frequency and cost of maintenance, with artificial turf typically only requiring occasional brushing and rinsing as opposed to grass, which requires mowing, watering, aeration and fertilization.

Markovich added that Pilot Point ISD will also be receiving equipment to help maintain the field turf as a part of the project.

“Thank you to our administration, [Superintendent Dr. Shannon] Fuller and Dr. [Brant] Perry, our school board, coach [Chad] Worrell, and everybody that has helped us get this field,” Vernon said. “It’s going to help our program achieve our goal, which is to go to playoffs, and hopefully one day get to the state championship. This is a great step to continue building our program and keeping these players wanting to play the game of baseball.”

Pilot Point ISD will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. March 17, celebrating the completion of the renovations at the field, which sits at 550 E. Liberty St.

“We are excited to see the completion of the new turf conversion at our high school baseball field,” Fuller said. “The new surface will provide a safer, more durable playing field, reduce maintenance and downtime due to weather, and allow our athletes more consistent practice and game opportunities. This project represents a significant investment in our students, our athletic programs, and our community, and we are extremely grateful for the support of our community and board, whose commitment makes improvements like this possible.”