New artificial turf discussion thread

[Brownie19]

what I would like to know is did they know that the turf would play this slow? I sure hope they did not unknowingly get this longer/softer turf and not consider the fact that baseballs don't roll on it. That would show a total lack of planning and foresight. Beeston should answer this question immediately.

 

Hitters will get pissed off, it may cost them 20 or 30 points on their batting averages

 

Surely they tested it...

 

Is it going to cost them 20 or 30 points on their batting averages (a number which I think is insanely high) compared to what it would have on the old turf - or compared to what it would on natural grass. The goal has to be to try and replicate the speed of natural grass...

 

And for all the hitters complaining, there will be the same # of pitcher applauding...

[Art Vandelay]

From a viewer standpoint, its more the lack of a dirt infield than the lack of grass that makes the Rogers Centre look so off to me. The new turf looks good enough, even though if it looks like Kermit the Frog's color. Getting the dirt infield in there would be key...but the same issues that prevent them from having grass (being a multi-purpose entertainment center) prevents the dirt infield.

 

I actually dont believe Beeston (shocker) that there will be grass by 2018. He'll be long gone by then, but even if the Guelph University study shows it is feasible, the costs to dig up the concrete, add in the airflow, etc., not to mention the opportunity cost of not being to garner the additional revenue from the motocross/monstertruck/icecapades/circus/whatever the hell else they have in there...I just dont think Rogers will do that. From a baseball standpoint, it makes total sense, but for Rogers' bottom line, it doesnt make dollars.

 

That would be really bad PR, wouldn't it? Having Beeston telling fans they're seriously looking into a real grass field, and then having Rogers say "Sorry, it wasn't feasible".

[Bluejays0988]

Just because they would have grass doesn't mean it couldn't be used for events like concerts, they block the infield and cover the grass. Yes Monster Jam would have to find a new venue.

 

 

Yankee Stadium:

 

 

 

 

Miller Park

 

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/ballpark/brewersenterprises/images/index/Mediawall2_695.jpg

 

Fair enough, I stand corrected and honestly Im sure they could find somewhere outside to host monster trucks if there really is a need to have that event at all

[RIPEXPOS]

Ya this turf is f***ed.

[JaysFan4Ever]

The balls just seem to die on it. It's better than some of the rockets that would come off the old turf but it just seems like velcro to the baseballs. They die in the OF and don't roll much. Great if it's helping the Jays but not going to help that much really. Maybe once it's broken in after a few home games but I'm not a fan so far.

[RIPEXPOS]

OMG bunting on this turf is going to be the new thing.

[43211234]

Too much of that rubber s*** I think