Concussion Report Highlights Field Maintenance

[Catsfan90]

This stuff is good, but not widely used in the US. Many European soccer fields utilize it, most notable Old Trafford of Man United:

"Desso GrassMaster is a sports playing field surface composed of natural grass combined with artificial fibres. The artificial grass fibres are injected 20 centimetres (7.9 in) deep, and cover about 3% of the surface. While the grass is growing, the roots intertwine with the artificial fibres. The designers claim this anchors the field to create a solid, even structure with good drainage and 'playing comfort'."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desso_GrassMaster

[LeopardBall10]

Synthetic turf makers say that their products are safe when used correctly and point to academic research that shows that injury rates of synthetic fields and natural grass are roughly similar, and nearly indistinguishable for concussions.
“Statistically, there’s no difference between the two when it comes to concussions,” said Michael C. Meyers, an associate professor in the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education at Idaho State University. “When you break it down player to player, there is not a field turf problem.”

A 2010 study looking at collegiate football injuries showed that FieldTurf may actually be safer than natural grass for injuries in general. This study also found no significant difference in knee injuries between surfaces.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/s...dtaGCZPIkRt.99

10, you played and coached under Frank, right? Is it your experience that Jack B. would allow his investment to be neglected by the college? Would he allow the kids to play under unsafe conditions?

Sorry I'm just responding... holidays

Anyway, I have seen and heard about all of the data sighting that the turf fields are just as safe *when maintained properly*, and nothing about this article disputes that. This article is saying that the quality of the field has a direct correlation with the number of concussions. Fields that are in worse condition generate more concussions, synthetic or sod. I think that is a very reasonable finding.

I did play under Frank and had a great relationship with Mr. B. But I can't say that he would really have all that much say over how the school treated his investment. Let's be honest, the school has done everything in it's power to ruin that relationship by taking advantage of his gifts and generosity. Frank is the only reason that building still looks the way it does, the school does nothing to maintain it on their own. So even if he did see them mismanaging the maintenance could he change it? He and Frank would try, but would only be successful if the cost were low enough or covered by Jack himself.

I can also speak to several incidents, personally where "low spots" were discovered in the field, either after a big snow or a lacrosse game. We would be on the field for practice with a cone on the field to show you where not to step to lose an ankle. Eventually the rubber would be raked into the hole, but it eventually took its toll. There are has marks coming unsewed, tears along the sidelines. As we know it is reaching the end of its life, and it needs replaced. But I am asking if we could have managed it better to keep it safer throughout its usable life?