AstroTurf teams up with Philadelphia Phillies to create new fan experience

AstroTurf worked with the Philadelphia Phillies organization to help create an interactive baseball experience for their younger fans at Citizens Bank Park, called “The Yard.”

The Yard is the Phillies’ new 13,000 square foot interactive baseball experience. Among the highlights is Citizens Bank Phan Field, complete with a major league dugout, a padded outfield wall and an AstroTurf field that stretches 70-feet deep. There is also a scaled-down version of the team’s PhanaVision electronic scoreboard and iconic Liberty Bell. Also featured is a Hatfield Phanatic Hot Dog Launcher where kids can test their marksmanship by aiming at targets on the wall with foam frankfurters, and a 30-foot Phanatic Climbing Wall giving fans the chance to climb around graphic depictions of Philadelphia’s landmark buildings.

“One of the first things fans want to do when coming to The Yard is try to hit one out of the park,” said David Buck, Phillies executive vice president. “Our new AstroTurf field is every kid’s dream, and we’re excited to have this among our newest enhancements at the ballpark.”

The field itself is an AstroTurf PGPN system over an Armacel pad. The system is made up of a Polyethylene face and a Nylon RootZone that will be durable and safe for this type of play. The pad offers uniform consistency and density and a good shock absorbency.

The Yard is free with admission to Phillies home games and features Citizens Bank Phan Field, a mini-field of dreams constructed by AstroTurf, where kids can hit WIFFLE Balls and run the bases. This authentic play area resembles the Phillies big-league field, with the diamond orientation sharing the same skyline as the vista of the City.

“All of our projects are important to us but some are just more fun than others,” said Aaron Klotz, AstroTurf’s director of baseball. “This field really captures the spirit of what our company is all about – giving kids a fun and safe place to play.”

Photo: AstroTurf