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Post by purplehaze on Jan 29, 2019 13:36:51 GMT -5
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Post by hcpride on Jan 29, 2019 14:51:41 GMT -5
The grass at their golf course is far superior to the grass at their bowl. As the article notes, their football field natural surface was simply not a priority. Like Harvard and Princeton they're going to a quality artificial surface.
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Post by timholycross on Jan 29, 2019 23:03:48 GMT -5
Seems like the grass issue at the Yale Bowl is some kind of water table issue. They had to build a concrete tray of sorts inside Fenway to finally fix that field, believe that's what they would have to do there to have viable grass.
Now, let's assume they still want to go to turf and the person advocating not using standard Field Turf is correct.
Did anyone tell anybody involved in this debate make the point that there are plenty of product choices that do not involve the use of recycled crumb rubber?
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Post by gks on Jan 30, 2019 8:26:14 GMT -5
Seems like the grass issue at the Yale Bowl is some kind of water table issue. They had to build a concrete tray of sorts inside Fenway to finally fix that field, believe that's what they would have to do there to have viable grass. Now, let's assume they still want to go to turf and the person advocating not using standard Field Turf is correct. Did anyone tell anybody involved in this debate make the point that there are plenty of product choices that do not involve the use of recycled crumb rubber? Wouldn't grass grow better with a higher water table? If Yale wanted to put the effort in they could have grass. Took the easy way out.
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Post by hcpride on Jan 30, 2019 8:52:59 GMT -5
Seems like the grass issue at the Yale Bowl is some kind of water table issue. They had to build a concrete tray of sorts inside Fenway to finally fix that field, believe that's what they would have to do there to have viable grass. Now, let's assume they still want to go to turf and the person advocating not using standard Field Turf is correct. Did anyone tell anybody involved in this debate make the point that there are plenty of product choices that do not involve the use of recycled crumb rubber? Wouldn't grass grow better with a higher water table? If Yale wanted to put the effort in they could have grass. Took the easy way out. Again, if artificial grass works for Harvard and Princeton (and Columbia, Dartmouth, UPenn, and Cornell) there is no reason to think it would not work for Yale. I guess one could say the Ivies (minus Brown) are taking the easy way out...probably more of a cost/benefit/performance decision as so many decisions are ...some might say long overdue.
(While this may have nothing to do with the topic I have noticed artificial turf really benefits the performance of quick athletes in a number of sports. At the high school level - at least - the players seem to prefer it nowadays. Unknown if that effects college recruits to a level worth mentioning.)
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Post by gks on Jan 30, 2019 9:01:32 GMT -5
They can put turf in if they want but at a field that's only used for football (correct me if I'm mistaken) you should be able to grow a decent grass field. Plus a little mud never hurt anybody.
HC did it right when they put the new sod down at Fitton. Probably the best grass surface in the Northeast now.
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jstew
Sophomore
Posts: 28
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Post by jstew on Jan 31, 2019 16:41:58 GMT -5
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 31, 2019 16:46:21 GMT -5
Remember Dick Allen's POV on the subject: "If a horse won't eat it, I don't want to play on it."
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Post by timholycross on Jan 31, 2019 17:42:29 GMT -5
...except if you are a high school player in most towns playing most sports, you do. The fields get way too much use and way less maintenance than they should to be superior to turf. Usually much better for old people like me running up and down trying to keep up with the kids, too.
Richie played on parking lots; the modern stuff is nowhere near that hard or abrasive.
I'm pretty much talking about the northern climates..if it's a long growing season and decent rainfall no reason why some place can't keep good grass fields...and the turf gets too hot to boot.
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Post by hcpride on Feb 1, 2019 7:25:19 GMT -5
Not surprised a pristine and rarely used NFL-quality natural grass field would measure up well v NFL synthetic grass. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, grow their natural grass field on a gigantic rolling tray outdoors in the sunshine and then roll the manicured surface into a retractable roof stadium only for games. The warm weather NFL stadiums (of course) have the best natural grass...Philly actually replaces one form of natural grass with another mid season and its underground heating system facilitates grass growth, the Green Bay Packers actually have an incredibly expensive weave of natural and artificial turf (I believe that counts as natural for the purpose of the study) with a full heating system beneath it.
I still prefer the well-maintained natural grass football fields and HC does a great job maintaining and protecting ours. Obviously the effects of weather and play mid-game can still tear it up but that is to be expected. We have other fields (artificial turf and otherwise) we can use for football practice (indoor and out!).
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Post by trimster on Feb 1, 2019 7:51:24 GMT -5
Seems like the grass issue at the Yale Bowl is some kind of water table issue. They had to build a concrete tray of sorts inside Fenway to finally fix that field, believe that's what they would have to do there to have viable grass. Now, let's assume they still want to go to turf and the person advocating not using standard Field Turf is correct. Did anyone tell anybody involved in this debate make the point that there are plenty of product choices that do not involve the use of recycled crumb rubber? A high school in Central Mass uses ground up coconut shells instead of the rubber bits to secure their turf field.
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Post by scrantonsader on Feb 1, 2019 8:21:04 GMT -5
Did anyone tell anybody involved in this debate make the point that there are plenty of product choices that do not involve the use of recycled crumb rubber? A high school in Central Mass uses ground up coconut shells instead of the rubber bits to secure their turf field. The Luth uses those green organic pellets instead of rubber I believe as well.
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Post by timholycross on Feb 1, 2019 10:53:01 GMT -5
Not surprised a pristine and rarely used NFL-quality natural grass field would measure up well v NFL synthetic grass. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, grow their natural grass field on a gigantic rolling tray outdoors in the sunshine and then roll the manicured surface into a retractable roof stadium only for games. The warm weather NFL stadiums (of course) have the best natural grass...Philly actually replaces one form of natural grass with another mid season and its underground heating system facilitates grass growth, the Green Bay Packers actually have an incredibly expensive weave of natural and artificial turf (I believe that counts as natural for the purpose of the study) with a full heating system beneath it.
I still prefer the well-maintained natural grass football fields and HC does a great job maintaining and protecting ours. Obviously the effects of weather and play mid-game can still tear it up but that is to be expected. We have other fields (artificial turf and otherwise) we can use for football practice (indoor and out!).
I'm in 100% agreement, love what Fitton's playing surface is now; and I think Yale could have figured out a solution too. At the below-college level it's hard to beat turf for any number of reasons.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 1, 2019 12:05:25 GMT -5
I'd like to think that Yale asked to consult with Holy Cross on how we did it on Fitton Field and we told them to take a hike.
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Post by sader81 on Feb 1, 2019 14:42:10 GMT -5
The grass at their golf course is far superior to the grass at their bowl. As the article notes, their football field natural surface was simply not a priority. Like Harvard and Princeton they're going to a quality artificial surface. Yale Golf course is routinely named one of the best college golf courses in the country. A classic course and a real pleasure to play (even though it's not easy for a hacker like me!) It wasn't always well kept until the past ten or so years, when Yale finally realized what a golf palace they had there, and finally started putting some money into the place. They have even opened up membership to non-Yalies, which I took advantage of a few years back. I love playing golf there! That said, Fitton was one of the best grass fields I ever played on, if not the best. I would be less than pleased than to see that change.
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Post by deep Purple on Feb 2, 2019 14:32:03 GMT -5
A high school in Central Mass uses ground up coconut shells instead of the rubber bits to secure their turf field. The Luth uses those green organic pellets instead of rubber I believe as well. Organic pellets? Does that mean the pellets come straight from the Liberian rubber tree?
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Post by timholycross on Feb 2, 2019 19:40:32 GMT -5
Rubber, sand, silica, cork seem to be the infill choices. The debate about rubber usually centers around its source...recycled tires seem to be the most controversial choice
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Post by hcpride on Feb 2, 2019 20:16:29 GMT -5
We have plenty of artificial turf fields at HC (indoor and out) and I think lacrosse and football spend considerable time on them. Not sure what precise blend/brand of artificial turf is used on Kuzniewski Field, the turf field next to the track, or the indoor artificial turf field at the Luth.
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Post by thecrossisback on Feb 2, 2019 20:27:26 GMT -5
Have to check out this new field next year and keep the winning streak alive.
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