After looking in to this issue a little bit I came across the Denver Broncos answer to our question of natural or plastic. . . and their answer is BOTH:
Playing Surface
The playing surface at INVESCO Field at Mile High is a 100% natural grass playing field made up of four different Kentucky Bluegrasses. The grass surface is stabilized by a network of polypropylene fibers that were sewn vertically into the sod every 3/4". This process took three weeks, with crews working 24 hours a day. This technology was developed by DD GrassMaster out of Holland, and has been used at over 100 stadiums worldwide.
Underneath the sod is a sand-root zone laid above an extensive drainage and soil heating system. After heavy rain, in a matter of minutes, surface water can be drained with a strong suction system called Sub-Air. The field will be heated during the winter months by a network of 21 miles of underground hot water tubing.
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When the two-time SuperBowl Champion Denver Broncos christened their new stadium in 2001, they enjoyed a 100 percent natural grass playing surface. However, Invesco Field at Mile High's grass is stabilized by 17 million grass-colored polypropylene fibers sewn into the sod to strengthen the bond between the sod and the ground. Underneath the sod, an extensive drainage and soil heating system allows the surface water to be drained with a strong suction system. Twenty-one miles of underground hot water tubing also keep the grass of Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium at 60 degrees.
Now I don't think we could afford all the bells and whistles but I think this would be a great idea worth exploring more to see if we could stay (mostly) grass at Perry Stadium.
There are plenty of systems around to handle soil environmentals, and plenty of drainage recycling systems to handle the most adverse conditions (which incidentally keep the green lobby happy).
I only had the dubious pleasure of catching the Toledo game over the WBGU internet feed (liked the commentators), so I didn't see Turner's early blow outs. The announcers put the blame squarely on the plastic grass.
I favour natural grass, but I can't see there's an absolute solution either way - it all comes down to cost vs convenience vs time = preference.
If you have a decent pair of studs, what's wrong with adapting the playbook to the conditions whatever the surface?
leardm17 wrote:BG's climate makes it impossible to sustain a playable bluegrass surface. Sorry, it's either field turf or grass.
The climate in Denver is that much different?
Don't know much about grass but Denver is much warmer and drier than this area. Not unusual to top 100 in summer and 60s even 70 in winter. Little rain, most water comes from snow melt.
leardm17 wrote:BG's climate makes it impossible to sustain a playable bluegrass surface. Sorry, it's either field turf or grass.
The climate in Denver is that much different?
Don't know much about grass but Denver is much warmer and drier than this area. Not unusual to top 100 in summer and 60s even 70 in winter. Little rain, most water comes from snow melt.
Yes it snows in Denver and it snows in BG, but that's where the comparisons end in terms of weather.
