New Practice Field?

[BGSU33]

All joking aside about what they play being football or not, the Browns DO play on a natural grass surface, and the NFL season is more games going later into the winter than the college season. Same is true in Green Bay. To argue that you can not play on natural grass in our climates is just not correct, IMO. It's not financially feasible for us, I realize, but it's not impossible either.

True, but keep in mind, those teams are only playing actual games (regulation, exhibition and playoffs) on those fields and they are practicing at other facilities and playing fields which get way more use. Most of those teams are also not sharing their stadiums with other teams to play or practice on like you see us doing. But even if they are, NFL teams can afford to re-sod an entire field at any time needed. Most of those grass fields in the NFL in northern climates locations also have heating coils underneath the playing surface and also have extensive drainage systems. A couple NFL teams using grass also have a mixture of artificial fibers intermixed in with the grass surfacing (grass is grown in treys with sewn-in fibers to keep the field from tearing apart as easy). I am a Chicago Bears fan (they play on grass too) and Solider Field is constantly getting torn up and re-sodded all the time.

[hammb]

All joking aside about what they play being football or not, the Browns DO play on a natural grass surface, and the NFL season is more games going later into the winter than the college season. Same is true in Green Bay. To argue that you can not play on natural grass in our climates is just not correct, IMO. It's not financially feasible for us, I realize, but it's not impossible either.

True, but keep in mind, those teams are only playing actual games (regulation, exhibition and playoffs) on those fields and they are practicing at other facilities and playing fields which get way more use. Most of those teams are also not sharing their stadiums with other teams to play or practice on like you see us doing. But even if they are, NFL teams can afford to re-sod an entire field at any time needed. Most of those grass fields in the NFL in northern climates locations also have heating coils underneath the playing surface and also have extensive drainage systems. A couple NFL teams using grass also have a mixture of artificial fibers intermixed in with the grass surfacing (grass is grown in treys with sewn-in fibers to keep the field from tearing apart as easy). I am a Chicago Bears fan (they play on grass too) and Solider Field is constantly getting torn up and re-sodded all the time.

Oh I know. Like I said it's not financially feasible for us without it devolving into a crappy surface as the year goes on. Just saying it IS technically possible

As yeah the big one is the leases these NFL teams have on what are largely publicly funded stadiums. The browns pay next to nothing to use that stadium and yet their lease dictates that the city of Cleveland isn't allowed to use it for any non-browns approved events. As such it has hosted like 2 college football games and maybe half a dozen concerts in total since it was built in 1999. A bit of a joke really...

[daspollak]

If they are putting down a turf practice field it wasn't there two weeks ago. Most athletes would prefer to play on grass. Better give and not as hard on the joints.

[footballguy51]

The practice field is going to remain grass. Coach said there are less injuries on grass, so he prefers to practice on grass. I believe the fence is just there to keep people off of those fields so they don't get destroyed and so the team can practice without having to worry about interference from the public. However, they are putting in field turf in the field house (either already done or soon to be done) that will mirror what is in the stadium.

[gmartin]

Why put field turf in the field house at this time? If the stadium needs new turf wait until that in installed and then place that exact turf in the field house. I do not mind having a grass practice field. Some of our oponents still use grass so it's nice to have both options.

For what it's worth I did some digging. It looks like it cost the Browns, which had pretty much the same climate and rain as BG, over $5.7 million to install a top notch drainage system and heating coil system. Now I'm pretty sure there isn't any other maintenance costs except for electric but that's a pretty hefty amount they invested to drain the water and keep the field 'warm' on those frozen days.

[Falcon137]

Why put field turf in the field house at this time? If the stadium needs new turf wait until that in installed and then place that exact turf in the field house. I do not mind having a grass practice field. Some of our oponents still use grass so it's nice to have both options.

For what it's worth I did some digging. It looks like it cost the Browns, which had pretty much the same climate and rain as BG, over $5.7 million to install a top notch drainage system and heating coil system. Now I'm pretty sure there isn't any other maintenance costs except for electric but that's a pretty hefty amount they invested to drain the water and keep the field 'warm' on those frozen days.

The field turf in the field house was part of Clawson's contract extension after the 2012 season, it's been in there for 2 years now. That was a needed upgrade, field turf is infinitely better than the astroturf that was in there.

Just out of curiosity I looked to see how many times BG plays on natural grass. In 2014, they did not play a game on grass. 2013, they played 1 (Mississippi State). This year they will play 2 (Nashville and Purdue). Not 1 school in the MAC still uses natural grass.

[Warthog]

All joking aside about what they play being football or not, the Browns DO play on a natural grass surface, and the NFL season is more games going later into the winter than the college season. Same is true in Green Bay. To argue that you can not play on natural grass in our climates is just not correct, IMO.

Almost all professional teams do some kind a re-sodding of the field late in the season to make it playable. Do you think BG could afford to do that?

[BGSU33]

Mud Bowl highlights (or in BG's case lowlights):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0UOZwFhxYkY" target="_blank

[Flipper]

Sean Ellis' dad was a character and a great guy to talk to...but did anyone think Ellis was going to make that kick the way he tip-toed out there?

[BGSU33]

Sean Ellis' dad was a character and a great guy to talk to...but did anyone think Ellis was going to make that kick the way he tip-toed out there?

LOL, not a chance. I knew "Big Bird" was gonna miss that kick the second he started heading out there.

[Schadenfreude]

I wanted to stick with grass. Part of me still wishes we could have grass.

But the fact that the plastic stuff allows BG to host high school football games and other events probably benefits the program. On that basis alone, I'm okay with it.

[BGSU33]

I appreciate the look of this around our practice field as it looks very clean and nice, but if we can do this around a plot of grass, why aren't we doing it around our actual stadium to replace the cheap, crappy chain link fence???


https://mobile.twitter.com/Bgsufalconcl ... 2964271104

[footballguy51]

I appreciate the look of this around our practice field as it looks very clean and nice, but if we can do this around a plot of grass, why aren't we doing it around our actual stadium to replace the cheap, crappy chain link fence???


https://mobile.twitter.com/Bgsufalconcl ... 2964271104

I believe this might be in the plans once they begin the renovations to the stadium. They are currently planning some minor things that are considered critical repairs, but once they begin the major renovations (a few years out if I remember) I'm sure something like this will be included. However, no reason to put up a nice fence now just to take it back down immediately and risk damaging it.

[hammb]

I wanted to stick with grass. Part of me still wishes we could have grass.

But the fact that the plastic stuff allows BG to host high school football games and other events probably benefits the program. On that basis alone, I'm okay with it.

This is where I'm at.

[Schadenfreude]

I appreciate the look of this around our practice field as it looks very clean and nice, but if we can do this around a plot of grass, why aren't we doing it around our actual stadium to replace the cheap, crappy chain link fence???


https://mobile.twitter.com/Bgsufalconcl ... 2964271104

This would be fantastic. I hope FootballGuy is correct and this is in the long-term plan. Fencing like this would make a big difference.