Gallop Field gained a new look this summer.

Mexico Softball Practice Photo Gallery

Mexico softball has been able to practice on a new turf field all summer after the dirt field of many years prior was replaced. Athletic director Brandon Schafer said the field was the result of a plan developed by the Central Office Administration and approved by the Mexico community in the school district’s previous bond vote.

Schafer said Gallop Field improvements have been a topic of conversation since at least five years ago when he became the athletic director. Along with the new surface, the field had new fencing installed around the perimeter, including some that closes off the gravel that was previously in play, and new batting cages.

“The Mexico Athletic Department is extremely excited for the opportunity to provide a high quality playing surface for our softball program,” Schafer said. “Gallop Field has always been a wonderful venue, but the addition of a consistent and durable surface will benefit the district for the long haul.”

Schafer said the new surface benefits the softball program and athletic department in that it increases the chance to host district tournaments and amount of community use while decreasing the chance of cancellations.

Head coach Hanna Branch said the team found out last winter that the new field would be installed in time for this season. She said she is thankful to the community for approving the project because it will make the coaching staff’s job easier and provide a quality place for youth teams.

“It’s given our girls an opportunity to have a safer place to play and also just nice amenities that are going to make us better as a team,” Branch said. “It’s providing a lot of opportunities for girls in our community. Our goal here is to provide a spot for girls to come together, have camaraderie and get away from the real world for a little bit.”

Branch said she refers to herself as a “purist,” meaning she loves dirt fields and enjoyed playing on them during her career. However, she said she wished she had this new field when she was younger. 

Hannah Loyd and Landri Teel will be seniors for the Lady Bulldogs this season and each have logged many innings in their career on dirt and turf fields. When they found out about Gallop’s new turf, they were excited that they would share common ground with other Mexico outdoor sports like baseball, football and soccer.

“I personally like turf so I was excited,” Teel said. “It’s good to get on the field to get prepared for the season.”

Loyd said she was a little disappointed that they wouldn’t have the dirt anymore because she enjoys the old-school feel of dirty uniforms. Her excitement overpowered the disappointment, however, because of the additional playing opportunities and support the community showed the program. She said they are comfortable with the surface after practicing on it all summer.

“We played some scrimmages against Community R-6 (on July 10), and that went really well,” Loyd said. “Our defense was really good.”

Branch said Mexico did have experience practicing on turf when it used the baseball field because of wet weather. She said the Lady Bulldogs having their own space, rain or shine, means a lot. 

“The girls feel pretty comfortable with it,” Branch said. “A lot of them play summer ball on turf. A lot of them are with me in that they love dirt, but the turf is nice because we don’t have to worry about rainouts or anything but the heat. They’re excited about it and really grateful.”

Turf “changes the game a lot,” Branch said, as the girls have to adjust to some differences playing on it and the coaches have to be aware of them to make better decisions. She said there aren’t as many “bad hops” on turf while fielding, but there is a chance to slip on the surface, especially if it is wet from rain. Pertaining to a wet field, Branch said sliding sooner on the basepaths becomes more important to avoid sliding past the base.

Whatever differences there are, Branch said it is simply a matter of “breaking in the turf” and becoming more accustomed to playing more games on it like the Lady Bulldogs will in the future. Loyd and Teel agree there has been some slipping, but that shouldn’t be a long-term issue.

“There are better hops off the turf than dirt,” Loyd said. “You have to learn when to dive and when to slide. You’ve got to get that down.”

Branch said the Lady Bulldogs looked good during their scrimmages and practices this summer. She joked she also has to become accustomed to not sharing many ground rules in pregame meetings with the umpire because the field lost “quirks” like holes in the fence.

“Our game reps look good,” Branch said. “Our returners look good. Our hitting was really great. It makes me even more excited to play our first home game here.”

Mexico plans to hold a youth camp for community and surrounding community girls on Aug. 2. Third- through fifth-graders will have a session 9 a.m.-noon and sixth- through eighth-graders will then take the field 1-4 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs’ home opener is scheduled to be 5 p.m. Sept. 2 against Marshall.