Field Turf Being Installed In The Shoe

[swerb]

http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/conten ... 6LE14.html

[furls]

I think one of your more astute writers mentioned this in several columns last year. I cannot remember the guys name though.

http://www.theclevelandfan.com/article_ ... php?id=960

I suspect that this is the last time that the field at Ohio Stadium will be replaced with natural grass. Should this field hold well there is still a very good chance that the field will be replaced with field turf before the 2007 football season. The upcoming Ohio State vs. Michigan game at the ‘Shoe on November 18th will probably be the last time the Buckeyes play at home on natural grass.

[swerb]

I remember that Furls. You were the first one I saw speculating about that.

I'm still fascinated by the conversation we had when I was down there for Michigan. When we were outside the Shoe, and you explained to me how the renovations and additions they made to the stadium actually blocked out the sunlight that the playing surface needed to thrive.

What a goof.

[yargs7]

Here is the finished product. Like the new jerseys...No gray in the paint scheme.

http://www.10tv.com/?slideshow=sites/10 ... showTYPE=3

We are in the process of having it installed at the high school where I coach. The entire process is pretty cool. They actually just roll the turf out over gravel that has been graded and steam rolled. The amazing thing is that they have to sew in all the logos, numbers, and every single little yard line and hash mark. Then they dump TONS of little rubber pellets on the surface to give it texture and soften it up.

[furls]

I prefer grass, but field turf is about as good as they are going to get. They were never going to be able to have grass survive for an appreciable period in Ohio Stadium again so this was really the only alternative.

I like the design, the red end zones are nice, I guess if I had one petty gripe, I would have liked to have seen one of the endzones done grey or something, but in the end, I like it.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Not sure if it has ever been an issue at Ohio State, but Field Turf usually cuts down on injuries as opposed to real grass. It is spongier and has more give in it while also not being as prone to cause sticking problems.

Also never gets muddy and nasty in the rain. I got to move around on some after a rain and found the traction to be much better than wet grass. Most of my experience with it was in an indoor location at Tropicana Field. It's lightyears better than the Astroturf it replaced there and has caused a large drop in foot/ankle/knee problems for the outfielders.

[furls]

I played on field turf and it is not without its problems. The issure i saw, is that while the traction is better at times it can be too good causing you to twist/jar joints. I had noticeable joint stiffness afterward, but at the same time, I am sure that if you play on it every day and get accustomed to it and develop the soft tissue to match it, it is probably better.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

I played on field turf and it is not without its problems. The issure i saw, is that while the traction is better at times it can be too good causing you to twist/jar joints. I had noticeable joint stiffness afterward, but at the same time, I am sure that if you play on it every day and get accustomed to it and develop the soft tissue to match it, it is probably better.

There's no perfect surface, though this stuff should be better than the grass has been at the Shoe lately. I recall the surface always being iffy and didn't know it was due to the stadium improvements. I have a feeling that OSU won't be dealing again with the firm that designed them.

Major issue has usually always been playing on away surfaces. You do get used to your home turf but don't get much time to adjust to your opponents' turf. That's a factor that is rarely discussed in regards to home field advantage. It's the same in basketball as well because the hardwood is not always set up the same and there are differences on the floor.

[intenso]

The only thing I don't like about field turf is those damn rubber balls.

[justanut]

This just aint right , Woody would be having a fit . Three yards and a cloud of dust aint gonna happen on this stuff . Half the fun of football is getting dirty !

[furls]

Ummmm, Woody Hayes petitioned (successfully) to have the first artificial turf installed in Ohio Stadium. It was back when Turf was considered cutting edge circa 1971 and it was replaced by super turf in 1979. The superturf was not removed until 1990 when OSU went back to grass.