The Bobcat Nation

They just had a story on one of the Minneapolis TV stations ragarding artificial turf. 12 high schools an about as many colleges have this stuff in the Minneapolis area and many more are installing it this summer. The cost they quoted was $700,000 average. The reason they gave was to SAVE MONEY! They said that if the turf lasts 12-15 years as projected they will actually save money and get more use out of it at the same time. They said in this climate that a grass field can only endure 25 uses (games or practices) per year without being destroyed.

Or maybe the folks in Minnesota just don't know how to care for and grow grass and they are taking the easy way out?

No SIR .. don't like it. Real grass is the way to go. And boy did we have a nice looking field the last couple of years. Nothing like grass for pure football game day experience (smell/texture/color/divots/grass stains/mud if it's wet/snowy). Pretty soon they will be making sprint turf with the real grass smell built into it as well as green ink that rubs off on the jersey/pants when a player slides to give it that true grass stain look

New fake stuff actually is safer for the players. Getting to be less knee injuries (instead of more than grass). Provides cuhsion, especially on cold surfaces. Doesn't have holes and worn spots late in the year. Pros are actually going to the fake stuff (especially in cold climates).
Allows new sports (like soccer) to be added. Without it, no place to play.
Allows the team to practice on the field periodically and get field experience during the week instead of just walk thrus.
Great recruiting aid (shows recruits it's big time environment).
Could be used for high School games on Friday nights and have no negative effects for the Saturday game.
blah blah blah

Can always have spray dispensors with Grass smells for those that need that.

CatfaninGA wrote:Or maybe the folks in Minnesota just don't know how to care for and grow grass and they are taking the easy way out?

You may be right! They reported that the maintenence cost of a HS grass field is over $50K per year. That sounds a little high to me.

gtapp: It's just like anything else, once the Physical plant (U of M) gets a hold of it and does the bill the charges sky rocket. As opposed to having a contractor come in and bid on the up keep. On the other hand if it's a rigged bid and the mayors contractor wins then the charges also sky rocket.

What the cats need is the kind of turf that was installed at Invesco Field in Denver. Its real grass that is sewed down so it doesn't fall apart or get muddy under a long season and tough conditions. It still looked good even after they played the Raiders in that blizzard last year.

cat_man_08 wrote:What the cats need is the kind of turf that was installed at Invesco Field in Denver. Its real grass that is sewed down so it doesn't fall apart or get muddy under a long season and tough conditions. It still looked good even after they played the Raiders in that blizzard last year.

Pro's can afford that type of thing. The good Artifical field is actualy cheaper and great for college. To spend a ton of money on real grass sewed down would be great if MSU had it.

Most artificial turf sucks but FieldTurf is the real deal. If you haven't seen the stuff, check it out. It is so great that it is becoming popular for people to remove their lawns & have it replaced with FieldTurf. The University of Nebraska was the first to install it followed by Washington & Washington State. The Seattle Seahawks who were playing at Husky Stadium while the new stadium was being built liked it so much that they changed the stadium plans to add FieldTurf instead of natural grass. The first year in operation as the NFL's only FieldTurf field, it was rated the third best overall playing surface in the league beating out many natural grass fields.

The stuff also looks real.

And if someone wanted to tear up their lawn and go with turf, what number would they call to reach you?

^ Sorry, I am into real estate, not slinging fake grass. But former Outland & Lombardi Trophy winner & former #1 NFL draft pick Steve Emtman has his own company somewhere in the Seattle area that is in the business. I personally know of one person who lives in Walla Walla who had his lawn done with a putting green & pitching set-up & he can't stop talking about the stuff.

Here is Emtman's company's website:

http://www.dreamturf.com/

Land Shark wrote:Most artificial turf sucks but FieldTurf is the real deal. If you haven't seen the stuff, check it out. It is so great that it is becoming popular for people to remove their lawns & have it replaced with FieldTurf.

I wonder how it would hold up and look after a year of my six large dogs enjoying it's benefits?

[quote="Land Shark"]The first year in operation as the NFL's only FieldTurf field, it was rated the third best overall playing surface in the league beating out many natural grass fields.

The stuff also looks real.
[quote]

Yes, but the smell man, does it smell right????

They make fake Christmas Trees smell real, I bet they can do the same for turf.