CHATTANOOGA, Tenn | AstroTurf.com | May 22nd, 2025 — The NCAA Division II Softball Championship opened Thursday at Frost Stadium at Warner Park on a state-of-the-art AstroTurf Diamond Series surface, marking the first time the national title rounds have been contested on synthetic turf. No. 1 UT Tyler edged No. 8 Western Washington 6-5 in a 10-inning opener, showcasing how AstroTurf’s customizable system handles bunts, slaps and slow rollers with true-to-game ball speed and bounce.
AstroTurf’s Diamond Series was selected for Frost Stadium after a months-long consultation process, in which the company’s softball division provided performance metrics, testing data and played-in simulations tailored to coach specifications. “Our goal was to deliver a surface that mimics grass and clay exactly where each is needed,” said Erin Cosan, AstroTurf’s newly appointed director of softball. “By adjusting fiber types, pile heights and infill ratios, we’ve created softer landings around the pitcher’s circle, truer hops in the outfield and realistic sliding distances on the base paths.”
AT A GLANCE
• What: NCAA Division II Softball Championship Finals on AstroTurf Diamond Series
• Where: Frost Stadium at Warner Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee
• When: May 22nd, 2025 through May 28th, 2025
• Watch: ncaa.com/liveschedule
Unlike traditional turf, the Diamond Series uses durable nylon in high-traffic infield areas to stand up to repeated play and return on investment for tournament hosts. Custom modules—such as the brown-clay pitcher’s mound, batter’s box and warning track—ensure appearance and playability meet NCAA standards, while the lush green outfield recaptures the feel of natural grass without the risk of rain-outs or mud.
“The seamless performance of our Diamond Series at a national championship level underscores AstroTurf’s leadership in sports-field innovation,” said Gary Jones, marketing director for AstroTurf. “Seeing championship-caliber athletes compete on a surface engineered for authenticity and durability is exactly why we invest so heavily in R&D and coach collaboration.”
TECH SPECS
• Infield & base paths: Diamond Series Brown with high-durability nylon
• Outfield grass: Diamond Series Green with tunable infill
• Warning track & mound: Specialized brown modules
The national semifinals and finals run through Wednesday, May 28. Thursday’s slate continues with No. 4 North Georgia against No. 5 Saginaw Valley at 1:30 p.m., followed by No. 2 Tampa versus No. 7 Shippensburg at 4 p.m., and No. 3 Central Oklahoma against No. 6 Pace at 6:30 p.m. Friday features elimination and championship-bracket contests, with a best-of-three final series set for May 27–28.
As the final eight teams vie for a national title in Chattanooga, AstroTurf’s spotlighted performance could set a new standard for championship-level softball venues. The championship concludes with Game 1 of the finals at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by Games 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 on Wednesday afternoon.
For more information about AstroTurf and its innovative turf solutions, please visit astroturf.com.
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