Franklin Covey Field

Rain Bird Traded in Baseball’s Most Picturesque Park

It’s acclaimed by national media as “the best view in baseball” - Franklin Covey Field, home of the Salt Lake Stingers (the Anaheim Angels Triple A affiliate). With the Wasatch Mountain Range in the background, the stadium’s double-decker architecture forms a striking contrast using features reminiscent of classic old-time ballparks.

At the Franklin Covey Field, ball players aren’t the only ones traded up. Recently, officials traded existing sprinkler heads on the park’s natural turf surface for Rain Bird Falcon® and R-50 rotors.

It’s all part of keeping what’s considered to be the premier Triple A facility in the country looking its best, according to Mark Hildebrand, Stadium Manager, and Tom Hasset, Grounds Manager.

The field, named after the Utah-based Franklin Covey day planner company, opened in April of 1994 after construction in record time for the team's inaugural season. Bland Brothers handled the installation of the irrigation and construction of the turf field itself. The natural grass surface is constructed with a typical sub-drainage system. A sand and peat base covered with pea gravel holds trenches for the irrigation system under the playing surface.

Fields of Green

Today, Rain Bird Falcon and R-50 rotors, PEB valves, and an ESP-MC controller all work to keep the field green for the team and a record number of fans.

“We’re the leader in the Pacific Coast League in attendance,” said Hildebrand. The stadium holds 15,000 with 12,000 stadium seats and lawn seating for 3,000 on outfield berms.

The field has used the Rain Bird ESP-MC controller and 17 PEB valves from the beginning to maintain the field’s 17 zones. Hildebrand switched to Falcon rotors in October of 1998 for many reasons.

“We were looking for durability,” he said. The stainless steel construction and strength of the Falcon rotors appealed to him, as did Rain Bird’s five-year warranty.

“We were able to address his concerns and show him the improved characteristics of the Falcon rotors,” explained Chris Wright, contractor support specialist for Rain Bird. The primary features of the Falcon rotors are the patented tapered riser stem for improved flushing and positive retraction and the large, pressure-activated wiper seal. This seal helps keep debris and grit out of the rotor for longer life.

But the most important feature the Falcon and R-50 rotors offered was the Rain Curtain® nozzle technology, according to Wright.

Rain Curtain Technology Hits Home

To demonstrate the performance of Rain Curtain nozzles, Wright set up two zones side-by-side, one using the Falcon rotors and the other using the original sprinkler heads. He turned on both zones at the same time.

“We could definitely see a difference,” said Hildebrand. “There was not as much mist. The water seemed to flow evenly and cover the ground better. I’m impressed with them.”

Rain Curtain nozzles provide uniformity of distribution and superior performance in the wind. Because the droplet size is larger, water is applied specifically where it’s needed rather than being blown off course. This translates into shorter watering time, saving water and money.

Approximately 87 Falcon rotors now water the field with R-50 rotors used around home plate and first and third bases, where a shorter radius of throw was needed.

R-50 rotors feature a water-lubricated, non-strippable drive for durability and longer life. A rapid-reset Memory Arc® automatically returns the nozzle stream to the set arc, while the rotor’s unique Quick-Flush™ action cleans the pop-up stem. The R-50 rotors include optional rubber covers for protection and safety.

Keeping Franklin Covey a Field of Dreams

Franklin Covey Field also hosts the University of Utah baseball team and is used for concerts, festivals, and trade show events.

With frequent events, sprinklers are primarily used at night. However, the staff also runs the system briefly seven to eight times a day, because of the daytime heat. “We don’t turn it on long during the day – just enough to keep it moist and do our work on the field, ” Hildebrand explained. Falcon rotors are used in some areas of the field to assist with the quick wet-downs.

Hildebrand is considering adding PRS-B pressure regulators in the spring, which would reduce inlet pressure fluctuations. PRS-B’s would further enhance the performance of the rotors and prolong the life of the entire system.

The Salt Lake Stingers are constantly recruiting top talent to what they call their “Field of Dreams,” nicknamed for the functional facility and beautiful location. With Rain Bird’s help, Hildebrand hopes to see his own record-setting performance on the field this season, as well.