Grass vs Field Turf at ND Stadium?

[connor_in]

In the news today, CW was talking about the new turf they are putting down at ND stadium. He then made reference that he would prefer field turf to grass. There are many pros and cons to both sides...what do you think and why?

 

[GoshenGipper]

I still like grass if it's done right.

 

[Fishin'_Irish]

I'm a fan of grass. So is Spinner. ba-da-dom

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I still like grass if it's done right.

I agree with the Gipper. We can't get rid of the Kentucky Blue Grass, but they need to keep it in good condition. Our field was a mess at the end, but we did play 5 games in a row at home.

 

[ColonialHead]

I'm with the others in preferring grass to turf. I like the tradition of it and the way it looks if it's maintained properly.

That said, if turf gives us an advantage, then I'd be fine with it.

 

[SoCalDomer]

I'm a fan of grass. So is Spinner. ba-da-dom

Just to fill the pillows in his man cave.

 

[connor_in]

I think the things that urged me to do this was not only Weis' comment, but also the Steelers game last night and the fact that there have been problems keeping the field in good shape late in the season.

Personally I gotta admit,I'm torn and so undecided...
Knute's legacy should always be played on grass...I love football games on grass/mud, BUT with the field grass being so much better than the old artificial turfs, it makes it a lot more viable option and the plays we design are more easily carried out in late season games on a field that's still in perfect shape.

 

[Mattmags]

I think the things that urged me to do this was not only Weis' comment, but also the Steelers game last night and the fact that there have been problems keeping the field in good shape late in the season.

Personally I gotta admit,I'm torn and so undecided...
Knute's legacy should always be played on grass...I love football games on grass/mud, BUT with the field grass being so much better than the old artificial turfs, it makes it a lot more viable option and the plays we design are more easily carried out in late season games on a field that's still in perfect shape.

I'm also a little torn. The look, tradition and feel of Notre Dame stadium without grass would just not be the same. However the field turf would provide less maintenance and upkeep, cleaner playing surface, typically a safer playing surface since it is more consistent all the way around the field, and it would promote a minimal advantage to speed. Having said all that, maybe I would consider artificial to real..hmmm?

 

[quiksilver253]

i play in high school now and we have field turf. I like it because it doesn't scratch you up like many previous types of turf, also, i find it's much better for bad condition. No mud makes the game more fun. Also, when it gets cold, field turf holds in heat better than grass however in the summer, this is an annoyance. One thing that's gross about turf though is how unsanitary it is. There is no great way to sterilize it so it has a few years of blood, sweat, spit and tears on it. We had a staph outbreak in NJ this year so fortunately, our school was forced to clean it.

 

[GoshenGipper]

but also the Steelers game last night

That's because they were morons and tried to take a shortcut to save time instead of doing it the right way.

 

[GoshenGipper]

i play in high school now and we have field turf. I like it because it doesn't scratch you up like many previous types of turf, also, i find it's much better for bad condition. No mud makes the game more fun. Also, when it gets cold, field turf holds in heat better than grass however in the summer, this is an annoyance. One thing that's gross about turf though is how unsanitary it is. There is no great way to sterilize it so it has a few years of blood, sweat, spit and tears on it. We had a staph outbreak in NJ this year so fortunately, our school was forced to clean it.

I hated the old astroturf it was nasty and believe it or not the Colts astroturf was far worse to play on then ND's practice field. I played on both. The Colts stadium three times and ND's indoor practice field once.

 

[fitz_bu47]

I played on both, and field turf is really cool, but I am partial to watching the Irish on real grass.

 

[NDOM]

Field turf all the way. It looks better, it produces less injuries, its low maintanance. Who cares about the "Tradition of the blue grass"? Tradition doesnt seem to work for Notre Dame anymore. So I'm all in favor of adding something new and exciting.

 

[quiksilver253]

I hated the old astroturf it was nasty and believe it or not the Colts astroturf was far worse to play on then ND's practice field. I played on both. The Colts stadium three times and ND's indoor practice filed once.

That's sick, how'd you get to do that?

 

[GoshenGipper]

That's sick, how'd you get to do that?

I played on a pretty good high school team

 

[connor_in]

I played on a pretty good high school team

Jimtown or Penn? or is that too specific and overly inquiring?

 

[NDOM]

Think about how much faster our players would be too. I know it will make other teams faster as well but we need every advantage towards speed. Grass just slows people down and Notre Dame pretty much has ZERO team speed. Go field turf. I dont think the University or Alumni will let Weis change it though. No way in hell.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Jimtown or Penn? or is that too specific and overly inquiring?

Goshen

 

[connor_in]

I dont think the University or Alumni will let Weis change it though. No way in hell.

Oh I agree whole heartedly, they will not change it, but his is simply a mental exercise, conversation starter, prelude to fisticuffs...whatever you want to call it!

 

[NDOM]

Oh I agree whole heartedly, they will not change it, but his is simply a mental exercise, conversation starter, prelude to fisticuffs...whatever you want to call it!

AGREED!

 

[Steve]

i think i'm leaning towards field turf. i think there are more than a handful of times this year when armando seemed poised for a nice little run only to slip at the line of scrimmage.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

To hijack a thought from another thread, I like the kind of field surface where we score points and win games.

That field brings me to tears in September. That field brings linemen's knees and ankles to tears in November.

Changing the playing surface does not feel as blasphemous to me as some U$C fans at the game this year razzing us for not having a jumbotron. Um..shut up. You play in the Cabrini Green of football stadiums. Have some respect for tradition.

 

[WalshND]

Goshen

Go Northwood!!!

 

[goldandblue]

I gues I'm neutral. I like the tradition of grass but if it will benefit N.D. in anyway I say go Turf.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Go Northwood!!!

Northwood can suck fricking monkey balls! Go Skins, beat the Wood!

 

[Master Guns]

i play in high school now and we have field turf. I like it because it doesn't scratch you up like many previous types of turf, also, i find it's much better for bad condition. No mud makes the game more fun. Also, when it gets cold, field turf holds in heat better than grass however in the summer, this is an annoyance. One thing that's gross about turf though is how unsanitary it is. There is no great way to sterilize it so it has a few years of blood, sweat, spit and tears on it. We had a staph outbreak in NJ this year so fortunately, our school was forced to clean it.

Great insight, thanks for that post!

 

[aaronb]

Field turf is the smart move IMHO. Substantial savings, less injuries, faster surface to help recruiting. I just dont see any downside to it.

 

[SoCalDomer]

How about installing real artifical grass.

Kind of like real patent leather. Like the pants Stoney wears when he goes club'n on Saturday nights.

 

[GoshenGipper]

How about installing real artifical grass.

Kind of like real patent leather. Like the pants Stoney wears when he goes club'n on Saturday nights.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Oh chaps are way too manly.

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