Question about InfoCision turf

[Class of 82]

AstroTurf manufactures 4 versions of its GameDay turf. Anybody know which one they're installing at InfoCision? I went to the AstroTurf site, and I couldn't tell which one is supposed to be their top of the line for football. http://www.astroturfusa.com/product/gameday-grass.htmlAlso, I understand an option is factory treatment with an anti-microbial agent that's supposed to extend the product life, reduce maintenance, and... more important... help prevent the spread of nasty things like staph, and other infectious stuff. Anybody know if we're getting that? EDIT: Apparently it's called TurfAid... something the Browns probably wish they'd had before all of their staph-infection debacles. Would be a nice thing to tell recruits and their parents about, I'd think.Anyway, I sure hope the stadium gets the best turf available. It would be a shame to settle for less.

[Class of 82]

Bad form to reply to my own post, but after a little digging, I've at least figured out that the 3D and XPe versions of Gameday Grass appear to be the ones used in football venues. The 3D is more expensive and features monofilament "grass" and a "rootzone" under the turf that reduces compaction and is supposed to give more of a real grass feel as well as improve performance and safety for players. The XPe version is comprised of slit plastic film and doesn't have the "rootzone." Both have the same options for infill, ie., rubber pellets, sand, and various combinations of other stuff.A Michigan State study supposedly ranked 3D as the closest to real grass performance of all the available artificial surfaces out there. It's what's in the Buffalo Bill's stadium, and also at Kansas University.If this issue has been covered already in the megathread on the stadium, my apologies for going over old ground.

[TennesseeZippy]

I had the same question myself in the other thread. Never have gotten an answer on it, let alone if it will be AstroTurf brand over FieldTurf. FieldTurf is the most respected brand in the synthetic turf business, but Akron has historically used the AstroTurf brand.As an aside, AstroTurf just installed a GameDay 3D field in our town last year (Greeneville, TN), and the school loves it. I would imagine Akron would install the 3D w/the root zone if they go with AstroTurf.

[RootforRoo44]

All this astroturf talk is disgusting. Football is supposed to be played on REAL GRASS.

[Class of 82]

All this astroturf talk is disgusting. Football is supposed to be played on REAL GRASS.

Can't argue with that. Realistically, though, I don't think real grass is an option... from both an economic and maintenance standpoint. The reality is that unless you're prepared to spend a boatload of money each and every every year on the field and probably prohibit any high school games... a real grass field would quickly become little more than a real dirt/mud field covered in green paint and green drying agent.The good news is that the new artificial surfaces are a whole lot better in every respect than the old ones.

[bigham78]

Why do we keep asking this question?The answer available at the stadium information site.http://www.uakron.edu/stadium/quickfacts.phpSumma Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).All of the above mentioned are Field turf.

[Class of 82]

Why do we keep asking this question?The answer available at the stadium information site.http://www.uakron.edu/stadium/quickfacts.phpSumma Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).All of the above mentioned are Field turf.

Really? I thought the Rubber Bowl had a new AstroPlay (from the AstroTurf people, not Field Turf) surface installed in 2003. And "similar to" doesn't really say a whole lot, especially when the quality differential among the kinds of artificial surfaces is so wide.

[TennesseeZippy]

Why do we keep asking this question?The answer available at the stadium information site.http://www.uakron.edu/stadium/quickfacts.phpSumma Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).All of the above mentioned are Field turf.

Really? I thought the Rubber Bowl had a new AstroPlay (from the AstroTurf people, not Field Turf) surface installed in 2003. And "similar to" doesn't really say a whole lot, especially when the quality differential among the kinds of artificial surfaces is so wide.

You are correct, '82, it is AstroPlay that is installed at the Rubber Bowl, and in the other UA facilities, not FieldTurf. The newer brands of the AstroTurf line are similar to the FieldTurf brand, but they are different companies who make the brands. FieldTurf is generally more respected by athletes and organizations that install it, and almost all NFL stadiums with synthetic surfaces have installed FieldTurf, except for Buffalo (AstroPlay), and Baltimore/New Orleans(Sportexe/MomentumTurf). I would much rather have a well-kept natural surface to play on. I don't think that you would get an argument from most athletes that they prefer grass to synthetic turfs. However, realistically, this facility will be used heavily in the fall in a cold climate. Even with the best groundskeeper and drainage system, the turf would be in poor shape by the end of the season if it was grass. Just look at Heinz Field as an example. The same thing happens in Nashville with the Titans and Tennessee State sharing their stadium. Partly out of necessity, it needs to be a synthetic surface. I just hope that they go with the FieldTurf brand, although AstroTurf has improved since they have restarted the company a couple of years ago.

[ZachTheZip]

If we plan on having other events than just 6 home games a year, natural grass simply isn't an option. High School games will tear up the field on a friday, leaving no time to repair it for a home game on a saturday.What happened to the soccer team this past fall should have been enough to scare any of us away from wanting natural grass ever again.

[Zipsrifle]

If we plan on having other events than just 6 home games a year, natural grass simply isn't an option. High School games will tear up the field on a friday, leaving no time to repair it for a home game on a saturday.What happened to the soccer team this past fall should have been enough to scare any of us away from wanting natural grass ever again.

Excellent point!

[bigham78]

You guys kill me.http://www.astroturf.com/astroplay.htmFilled Systems - Fields that look like grass... and perform better Get a field that looks like real grass, But, out preforms it.In other words field turfNo one uses carpet on concrete anymore unless you want lawsuits for injuries.Astro play/Astro turf are all field turf these days. (Looks like real grass)

[bigham78]

If we plan on having other events than just 6 home games a year, natural grass simply isn't an option. High School games will tear up the field on a friday, leaving no time to repair it for a home game on a saturday.What happened to the soccer team this past fall should have been enough to scare any of us away from wanting natural grass ever again.

That's why Astro play AKA Field turf is being used these days and used across the board.You have HS putting in Astro play/field turf because in 10 year period it's cheaper having an Astro play/field turg playing surface Vs Grass.I played on the original Astro turf the stuff they installed at the Rubber Bowl in 1973. I hated it.I played on grass from the nice to the rough.I've been on Astro play/field turf fields.I would love playing on Astro play/field turf. Light years ahead of the original Astro turf and the other verison of Astro turf that came out inthe early 1990's. That still was carpet on concrete.

[TennesseeZippy]

You guys kill me.http://www.astroturf.com/astroplay.htmFilled Systems - Fields that look like grass... and perform better Get a field that looks like real grass, But, out preforms it.In other words field turfNo one uses carpet on concrete anymore unless you want lawsuits for injuries.Astro play/Astro turf are all field turf these days. (Looks like real grass)

Big Guy, what you are not understanding is that there are multiple companies that make synthetic surfaces. Some are excellent surfaces, some are not. That's why it's important what company is making the synthetic surface. Just because a synthetic surface may look like the FieldTurf brand, it doesn't mean that it's a quality synthetic surface. There are differences in durabililty, playability, traction, etc, between the manufacturers and their surfaces on the market. We all know that carpet-type surfaces are not used anymore. That's a given.I prefer natural grass over anything synthetic, but it's not realistic to have grass in this stadium given the multiple events that Info will be used for, especially in the fall. If you are going to use a synthetic surface, then the FieldTurf brand of synthetic surface is what I would want, not the AstroTurf brand of synthetic surface.

[bigham78]

You guys kill me.http://www.astroturf.com/astroplay.htmFilled Systems - Fields that look like grass... and perform better Get a field that looks like real grass, But, out preforms it.In other words field turfNo one uses carpet on concrete anymore unless you want lawsuits for injuries.Astro play/Astro turf are all field turf these days. (Looks like real grass)

Big Guy, what you are not understanding is that there are multiple companies that make synthetic surfaces. Some are excellent surfaces, some are not. That's why it's important what company is making the synthetic surface. Just because a synthetic surface may look like the FieldTurf brand, it doesn't mean that it's a quality synthetic surface. There are differences in durabililty, playability, traction, etc, between the manufacturers and their surfaces on the market. We all know that carpet-type surfaces are not used anymore. That's a given.I prefer natural grass over anything synthetic, but it's not realistic to have grass in this stadium given the multiple events that Info will be used for, especially in the fall. If you are going to use a synthetic surface, then the FieldTurf brand of synthetic surface is what I would want, not the AstroTurf brand of synthetic surface.

TennesseeZippyAll I know is it says this.Summa Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).I been on all three surfaces and they are the field turf type of surfaces. Looks and plays like real grass. But, is synthetic. It's field turf.Here's the total historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FieldTurfAll these companies may use the name Astro turf or Astro play names. But, it's all field turf they install.No one and I mean no one installs the carpet on concrete anymore. The surfaces on the Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field are field turf surfaces. Looks like real grass. But, isn't.That's what they're installing at the Info.

[Class of 82]

You guys kill me.http://www.astroturf.com/astroplay.htmFilled Systems - Fields that look like grass... and perform better Get a field that looks like real grass, But, out preforms it.In other words field turfNo one uses carpet on concrete anymore unless you want lawsuits for injuries.Astro play/Astro turf are all field turf these days. (Looks like real grass)

No need for an attitude, Big Guy. We're all friends here, I think, or at least all on the same side.And I think we're all aware that the carpet-on-concrete days are over.What I'm curious about is what KIND of filled system InfoCision will have... 'cause they're not all the same. In fact, they're not even close to all being the same. And they are certainly not all the same as the AstroPlay product at the Rubber Bowl.If the difference doesn't interest you, I'm cool with that. But the difference is of interest to me. Okay?Thanks in advance.

[bigham78]

You guys kill me.http://www.astroturf.com/astroplay.htmFilled Systems - Fields that look like grass... and perform better Get a field that looks like real grass, But, out preforms it.In other words field turfNo one uses carpet on concrete anymore unless you want lawsuits for injuries.Astro play/Astro turf are all field turf these days. (Looks like real grass)

No need for an attitude, Big Guy. We're all friends here, I think, or at least all on the same side.And I think we're all aware that the carpet-on-concrete days are over.What I'm curious about is what KIND of filled system InfoCision will have... 'cause they're not all the same. In fact, they're not even close to all being the same. And they are certainly not all the same as the AstroPlay product at the Rubber Bowl.If the difference doesn't interest you, I'm cool with that. But the difference is of interest to me. Okay?Thanks in advance.

I don't have an attitude. I just tire of us beating the same topics to death.The UofA stadium site says this.Summa Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).I've been on all three and they're what I call field turf.Why are we asking the question when the UofA site clearly says what it's going to have?No attitude. Field turf to me is field turf. Looks like real grass. But, it isn't.I've walked on them From Ohio to Georgia and they all look like real grass. But, are not.

[tbozeglav]

This topic is just like the merging/changing conference topic...IT JUST NEEDS TO GO AWAY

[Class of 82]

I don't have an attitude. I just tire of us beating the same topics to death The UofA stadium site says this.Summa Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).

...which, again, doesn't answer the question I'm asking.I get it that "similar to" the Rubber bowl and Field House, and "looks like grass, but it isn't" are enough to satisfy your curiosity. I get it that it's all "field turf" to you. No problem. Whatever works for you.As for beating the subject to death, if I'd seen my question answered already at the UA Stadium site or in another thread here, I wouldn't have asked it.

[bigham78]

I don't have an attitude. I just tire of us beating the same topics to death The UofA stadium site says this.Summa Field’s Playing Surface:Synthetic (similar to Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field).

...which, again, doesn't answer the question I'm asking.I get it that "similar to" the Rubber bowl and Field House, and "looks like grass, but it isn't" are enough to satisfy your curiosity. I get it that it's all "field turf" to you. No problem. Whatever works for you.As for beating the subject to death, if I'd seen my question answered already at the UA Stadium site or in another thread here, I wouldn't have asked it.

In your defense you haven't asked it before.But, others have.I have no curisoity as the site answered any questions I'd have.If, the site answer is too vague for you. I suggest you email the AD office for further clarity.But. I bet they'll tell you is going to be similar to. Rubber Bowl, Stile Field House and Schrank Field

[bigham78]

This topic is just like the merging/changing conference topic...IT JUST NEEDS TO GO AWAY

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Class of 82]

This topic is just like the merging/changing conference topic...IT JUST NEEDS TO GO AWAY

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a radical concept for y'all. If a discussion or topic doesn't interest you, then you don't participate in it.Good grief. :blink:

[Zipsrifle]

So, what color should it be? I've got three colors in mind, Blue, Gold, or Green....

[bigham78]

This topic is just like the merging/changing conference topic...IT JUST NEEDS TO GO AWAY

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a radical concept for y'all. If a discussion or topic doesn't interest you, then you don't participate in it.Good grief. :blink:

It's not interest it's overkill on the same topic.I already said in your defense you hadn't asked the question before. If, look back through the Cams live 50 plus pages and growing thread. You'll see the very topic been asked and asked many times already.

[TennesseeZippy]

This topic is just like the merging/changing conference topic...IT JUST NEEDS TO GO AWAY

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a radical concept for y'all. If a discussion or topic doesn't interest you, then you don't participate in it.Good grief. :blink:

It's not interest it's overkill on the same topic.I already said in your defense you hadn't asked the question before. If, look back through the Cams live 50 plus pages and growing thread. You'll see the very topic been asked and asked many times already.

I've only seen the topic discussed ONCE in the 50+ page thread. It was me who asked the question. And, I've read that thread religiously throughout its time, so I would be very surprised if my question about the type of synthetic turf was asked elsewhere in the thread. Just because you may not like the question asked, or just because you may not like synthetic turf, that doesn't mean that the question shouldn't be asked. And, why waste time e-mailing the AD when others on this site may know what type of surface is going in. I've been polite to you throughout despite your comments berating my questions. But I've had enough. If you don't care about it, then just keep your comments to yourself.

[bigham78]

I apologize to anyone that feels I berated or belittled their questions on this topic. That was never my intentIt was not that I didn't care. I felt it was already answered at the Stadium site and I may have been too heavy handed when I responded too questions about the topic here.I once again apologize to anyone I may offended and if you guys wish to discuss it further.You won't get further interference from me on this topic.