Anyone ever played on an artificial turf baseball field?

[Boca Vol]

I've heard the success stories about UT's artificial field in regards to reduced rainouts, maintenance costs, etc.

My question is, how is it to slide on? I know the players wear sliding shorts under their pants but I would think it would still burn. Has anyone played on this type field? I haven't heard of any complaints, just curious. Thanks.

 

[Jerseydevilvol16]

In high school I played on the Trenton Thunder field which is the Yankees triple A team. Best field I ever played on. No problems sliding, bounces were perfect. I played short stop which was cool because Derek Jeter played for them before he went pro so I was standing where he played.

 

[BallerVolFan]

I've heard the success stories about UT's artificial field in regards to reduced rainouts, maintenance costs, etc.

My question is, how is it to slide on? I know the players wear sliding shorts under their pants but I would think it would still burn. Has anyone played on this type field? I haven't heard of any complaints, just curious. Thanks.

I played against Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville and CAK multiple times on their artificial turf. It gets really hot but in regards to your sliding question, it’s better than dirt in my opinion. You just have to make sure to start your slide about halfway to second base or you’ll end up in left field. I was a head first slide kind of guy and turf was my best friend when it came to that.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

I played on the old Tim McCarver stadium in Memphis (half turf, half grass) in a couple of HS tournaments. Yes, it was as bad as it sounds

 

[TennVols12]

We played at Vandy and ETSU during my 2 years with the Vols and I actually loved it. Only issue was trying to slide on it while it was wet. Slid into 3rd at Vandy and dang near ended up in their dugout.

 

[Boca Vol]

In high school I played on the Trenton Thunder field which is the Yankees triple A team. Best field I ever played on. No problems sliding, bounces were perfect. I played short stop which was cool because Derek Jeter played for them before he went pro so I was standing where he played.

I played against Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville and CAK multiple times on their artificial turf. It gets really hot but in regards to your sliding question, it’s better than dirt in my opinion. You just have to make sure to start your slide about halfway to second base or you’ll end up in left field. I was a head first slide kind of guy and turf was my best friend when it came to that.

Appreciate the info! I figured they had sliding built into the equation when they designed the fabric & fill materials.

The old-school Astroturf from the late 60's-mid 90's was a carpet laid over a thin pad over concrete. If you slid on that stuff you were bleeding!

 

[Boca Vol]

We played at Vandy and ETSU during my 2 years with the Vols and I actually loved it. Only issue was trying to slide on it while it was wet. Slid into 3rd at Vandy and dang near ended up in their dugout.

LOL!

 

[VolGirl81]

I’ve always wondered about the warning track by the wall. An outfielder can tell the diff between turf and the warning track by feel when going for a ball and know how much room they have b4 hitting the wall. How can they feel that diff with turf? Or have I missed that our warning track was dirt?

 

[cwbytruckers]

We played at Vandy and ETSU during my 2 years with the Vols and I actually loved it. Only issue was trying to slide on it while it was wet. Slid into 3rd at Vandy and dang near ended up in their dugout.

Lol

 

[Boca Vol]

I’ve always wondered about the warning track by the wall. An outfielder can tell the diff between turf and the warning track by feel when going for a ball and know how much room they have b4 hitting the wall. How can they feel that diff with turf? Or have I missed that our warning track was dirt?

Good point. I don't think it's dirt.

 

[volsfan24017]

Once playing putt putt.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

The new turf is made for sliding. The rubber pellets in the "grass" reduce friction and sliding is better than dirt.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I never did. Played on crappy dirt/grass fields. I would think it’s got to be good once you get used to the speed.

 

[Boca Vol]

I've noticed watching the games this season the RH batter's box is bowed out in the back of the box where the hitter's back foot plants. Interesting.

 

[Boca Vol]

I never did. Played on crappy dirt/grass fields. I would think it’s got to be good once you get used to the speed.

I played on some crappy fields in ET in the 80's. My own Lenoir City High was horrible. It's pretty nice now. Powell had the nicest HS stadium in the late 80's that I played in. Farragut was also very nice. Scott County, Madisonville, Tellico Plains....not so much!!!!

 

[RedStickVOL]

Interesting that this came into play tonight with Crews over sliding second base to end the 8th.

 

[supersmo18]

Interesting that this came into play tonight with Crews over sliding second base to end the 8th.

And what a heads-up play by Spence to tag him, too. A strike out-tag out on a steal. Beautiful.

 

[Fullfillmer]

I’ve always wondered about the warning track by the wall. An outfielder can tell the diff between turf and the warning track by feel when going for a ball and know how much room they have b4 hitting the wall. How can they feel that diff with turf? Or have I missed that our warning track was dirt?

Just from fairy close observation from the porch - it looks like the texture is different or the material is different on the warning track versus the rest of the outfield - so i am thinking that they have built that into the equation. It isn't just a different color - but a different texture as well.

 

[orangemadam]

In the late 80's I played softball in Houston on fields with astro-turf for the first time.

Playing ss, a hard line shot hit ankle high touched turf 15-20 ft in front of me. Next thing I know, the ball shot like bullet so fast it went under my glove before I could even get the glove down.

Artificial turf makes everything speed up 50% it seems.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I played on some crappy fields in ET in the 80's. My own Lenoir City High was horrible. It's pretty nice now. Powell had the nicest HS stadium in the late 80's that I played in. Farragut was also very nice. Scott County, Madisonville, Tellico Plains....not so much!!!!

I grew up in East Ridge in the 60s and early 70s. All our fields were crap. Even the high school. I don’t know how many times I got drilled by a bad bounce.

 

[OldTimer]

Just from fairy close observation from the porch - it looks like the texture is different or the material is different on the warning track versus the rest of the outfield - so i am thinking that they have built that into the equation. It isn't just a different color - but a different texture as well.

The warning track has a larger diameter rubber pellet. The different in size is supposed to be noticeable by foot, it’s highly questionable if it works or not when running at full speed

 

[VOL_Lyfe]

The new turf is made for sliding. The rubber pellets in the "grass" reduce friction and sliding is better than dirt.

.... And sometimes slide right on past the bag. Ask Crews about that one

 

[lukeneyland]

I rather like em, I prefer a pristine grass field over anything though

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

.... And sometimes slide right on past the bag. Ask Crews about that one

Apollo or Terry?