Are there any plans to go back to natural grass in the future?

[Country Stylz]

I'll hang up n listen.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

I'll hang up n listen.

I think it would be better. I love sloppy muddy games at Razorback Stadium.

[hawginbigd1]

I like grass fields, but the field turf has become so close to grass and easier and cheaper to maintain I think only for gimmick purposes will people go back.

[Boardon Hamsay]

I think it's good that more states are getting back to natural grass. That "spice" stuff is a growing fad that I think is more dangerous.

[Calling All Hogs]

Most of the Auburn players went back to natural grass after synthetic cannabis was outlawed.

[MissippHog]

Ahhhh, beat me to it.

[jvanhorn]

I like grass fields, but the field turf has become so close to grass and easier and cheaper to maintain I think only for gimmick purposes will people go back.

I think that there are only a very, very few professional baseball teams that don't have natural grass.  I have seen.  I will take natural grass every time.  Of course professional baseball is played in the summer so as long as you have a good draining system you wouldn't have near the problems that a football team would.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

field turf is where it's at.

[CallThemHawgs!]

The turf looks all matted and shiny, at DWRRS, its unlike any other turf I have seen. From a looks standpoint, its awful. I bet the players like it more however.

[Ugly Uncle]

field turf is where it's at.

It is so comfortable to walk on and so advanced I have no idea why anyone would want to go back.  Used to it was just thin turf on concrete and people got hurt all the time on it.  Now it is better than real grass and looks better.

[PorkRinds]

It is so comfortable to walk on and so advanced I have no idea why anyone would want to go back.  Used to it was just thin turf on concrete and people got hurt all the time on it.  Now it is better than real grass and looks better.

My only issue is that you can't knock someone's dick in the dirt anymore you knock it into the black rubber pellets. Just doesn't have the same ring.

[PonderinHog]

Ahhhh, beat me to it.

Just waiting for it to be legalized...

[jkstock04]

I have not heard anything but would guess zero chance when you look at the more important needs and the cost to restructure back to the playing surface we had 10 years ago. This new artificial turf these days is extremely advanced. Try walking on it or even running on it and see what you think. This ain't your 1980s putt putt golf surface any more..there are honestly probably people who still think that.

Has Bielema said he prefers natural grass over our current field?

[PonderinHog]

I have not heard anything but would guess zero chance when you look at the more important needs and the cost to restructure back to the playing surface we had 10 years ago. This new artificial turf these days is extremely advanced. Try walking on it or even running on it and see what you think. This ain't your 1980s putt putt golf surface any more..there are honestly probably people who still think that.

Has Bielema said he prefers natural grass over our current field?

Not sure about CBB, but Les Miles definitely prefers natural turf.

[sickboy]

My brain played a trick on me when I read the title and I thought it said are there any plans to go back to the future. And my answer to that is always a resounding "there definitely should be."

[razorback44]

Our turf looks so much better now than the worn out grass we had previously. I can't imagine why we would ever go back.

[CattleCorn]

This ain't the plastic carpet your grandaddy used to put in his flat bottom bass boat.  It is superior to natural grass as a playing surface.  We didn't spend all that cash to switch right back to grass.

[jdevers]

Until a grass is created that can look nice and green in August and also late November in northwest Arkansas I would say about zero chance.

[uconnhog]

It would be easer to smoke

[Mike_e]

My only issue is that you can't knock someone's dick in the dirt anymore you knock it into the black rubber pellets. Just doesn't have the same ring.

You can turn em into carpet-munchers though, in a non PG sort of a way.

[TheGunther]

As someone who has actually played football on both, natural grass every time. 

[jgphillips3]

If statistics on injuries show that our current turf is as safe or better than grass and maintenance cost is equal or lower, I would say it is highly unlikely we ever go back.  As was noted before, the thinly veiled concrete we used to play on gave a fast track but was much harder than grass and when it came time to replace there were arguments to be made for grass over it.  Other than nostalgia, I'm not sure there are any more...player or coach preference notwithstanding.

[CattleCorn]

As someone who has actually played football on both, natural grass every time.

What year(s) did you play on artificial turf?

[Inhogswetrust]

What year(s) did you play on artificial turf?

I'd bet even players today would prefer grass if it is maintained properly.

[Inhogswetrust]

If statistics on injuries show that our current turf is as safe or better than grass and maintenance cost is equal or lower, I would say it is highly unlikely we ever go back.  As was noted before, the thinly veiled concrete we used to play on gave a fast track but was much harder than grass and when it came time to replace there were arguments to be made for grass over it.  Other than nostalgia, I'm not sure there are any more...player or coach preference notwithstanding.

Can you provide any proof that it is as safe or as cheap to maintain? Those have always been issues. Most of the time admins say it is much cheaper to maintain artificial turf. However if grass is safer then that is more important.

[ARoutdoorsman]

Go face plant your head into some of that new turf and get you a mouth and eyes full of sand and ground up tires and tell me which one you want to play on. Natural all the way.

[Inhogswetrust]

I played my HS football on the brillo pad that was War Memorial back in the day, and other than being fast it pretty much sucked as a playing surface.

Today as a parent cruising the SoCal travel baseball/softball/soccer circuit, I see my kids playing on artificial turf regularly, and the black pellets are all over the garage.
As a board member for our local LL, I've been informed that our converting the baseball fields to turf this past year will save our area approximately $60k in water and related maintenance annually.  Soccer fields were already converted a few years ago.   


However - I have to say I often think of what I've read along these lines:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/how-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fields-649157-rubber-turf.html

http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/health_effects.shtml

There is no part of life that is 100% safe unless you live in a bubble. But I'd bet that grass is more expensive to maintain yet safer overall.

[GuvHog]

Not sure about CBB, but Les Miles definitely prefers natural turf.

Where the stadium is located has a lot to do with that. Grass will last a lot longer in the warm Gulf Coast climate of Baton Rouge. An artificial turf field down there would be ridiculously hot to the point where it would be dangerous to even practice on.

[Pigsknuckles]

The turf looks all matted and shiny, at DWRRS, its unlike any other turf I have seen. From a looks standpoint, its awful. I bet the players like it more however.

The field looks great live, but I have to admit it's not much for looks on TV. Then again, the only time I ever see DWRRS on TV is when I'm watching a replay.

[GuvHog]

There is no part of life that is 100% safe unless you live in a bubble. But I'd bet that grass is more expensive to maintain yet safer overall.

I remember going to games in DWRRS before they switched to an artificial surface, the grass had gotten so bad they had to literally paint the field green so yeah I agree that grass is more expensive to maintain but in this day and age of new turf technology I seriously doubt playing on grass would be any safer.

[Inhogswetrust]

Where the stadium is located has a lot to do with that. Grass will last a lot longer in the warm Gulf Coast climate of Baton Rouge. An artificial turf field down there would be ridiculously hot to the point where it would be dangerous to even practice on.

Yet schools down there do have turf practice fields for when they play teams that have turf in the stadium......................................

[Inhogswetrust]

I remember going to games in DWRRS before they switched to an artificial surface, the grass had gotten so bad they had to literally paint the field green so yeah I agree that grass is more expensive to maintain but in this day and age of new turf technology I seriously doubt playing on grass would be any safer.

Maybe not BUT I still have to wonder about the cumulative "wear and tear" on the players on turf.

[GuvHog]

Yet schools down there do have turf practice fields for when they play teams that have turf in the stadium………………………………..

Correct, and Arkansas has a natural grass practice field too. One of the reasons many coaches prefer artificial turf is their teams can practice where they play their home games. They can't do that with a natural grass stadium field.

[smb]

Most of the Auburn players went back to natural grass after synthetic cannabis was outlawed.

Now that's funny! I like it!

[WizardofhOgZ]

The field looks great live, but I have to admit it's not much for looks on TV. Then again, the only time I ever see DWRRS on TV is when I'm watching a replay.

I'm a big advocate of the new generation artificial turf.  Predicted we'd get it before we did, and got into some pissing wars here with those who wanted to stay with the natural turf.

That said - and, although IMO it does look fantastic in person - I have noticed that on TV it doesn't look great.  Too slick/shiny.  That being the case, I have thought about and considered the reason for that while actually in the stadium, and I have concluded that it is due to the camera angles, and where the lighting for the field is coming from.

My seats are on the East side of the stadium, and I never have any issue with "shine".  But I sat on the west side for a couple of scrimmages around midday, and noticed the sun shining in my eyes a little (off the turf) at some angles.  Since the cameras are on the West side, I strongly suspect this comes into play for them as well.  For night games, of course, there are the stadium lights instead of the sun, but the same principle applies.

I have noticed this in some other stadiums as well - but not all.  I'm not sure what can be done about it - the camera spots are located in specific spots designed for just that.  It doesn't really bother me that much, and as I said, looks great in person.

[Inhogswetrust]

Correct, and Arkansas has a natural grass practice field too. One of the reason many coaches prefer artificial turf is their teams can practice where they play their home games. They can't do that with a natural grass stadium field.

They can practice on the same type grass they have in the stadium on their grass practice field. Tat's what we used to do and as far as I know all schools do. We have a artificial AND grass practice field for practice. No need to practice inside the stadium. What's your point?

[GuvHog]

They can practice on the same type grass they have in the stadium on their grass practice field. Tat's what we used to do and as far as I know all schools do. We have a artificial AND grass practice field for practice. No need to practice inside the stadium. What's your point?

Some coaches just like to have their team practice in their stadium to get used to their game day surroundings and the turf they play on. CBB does this quite a bit and it's why Petrino pushed for the switch.

[WorfHog]

Some coaches just like to have their team practice in their stadium to get used to their game day surroundings and the turf they play on. CBB does this quite a bit and it's why Petrino pushed for the switch.

What do those guys know? Bring back the Bermuda!   

[Mike Irwin]

It was Petrino's idea to get rid of the grass. He believed that turf gave his receivers more speed. I never understood the logic of that. It also makes linebackers, corners and safeties faster so what's the big deal?

I suspect that the cost of going back to grass is an issue right now. They're spending money on so many other things a grass field for DWRRS is not a priority. If you throw in maintenance costs I'm pretty sure turf is cheaper even if you replace it every seven or eight years.

The athletic department has one of the best grass men in college athletics. The football grass practice field & Baum Stadium are great examples of the job he and his crew do.

I'd love to see Frank Broyles field converted back to grass at some point in the future.

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Most of the Auburn players went back to natural grass after synthetic cannabis was outlawed.

Lol.  First time I remember hearing about Auburn players,  worrying about law's or rules....

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Not sure about CBB, but Les Miles definitely prefers natural turf.

Yep, for sure.  Les says, there's just no food value in the artificial stuff, besides... it tastes funny.  Reminds him of diet drinks.....

[Inhogswetrust]

It was Petrino's idea to get rid of the grass. He believed that turf gave his receivers more speed. I never understood the logic of that. It also makes linebackers, corners and safeties faster so what's the big deal?

I suspect that the cost of going back to grass is an issue right now. They're spending money on so many other things a grass field for DWRRS is not a priority. If you throw in maintenance costs I'm pretty sure turf is cheaper even if you replace it every seven or eight years.

The athletic department has one of the best grass men in college athletics. The football grass practice field & Baum Stadium are great examples of the job he and his crew do.

I'd love to see Frank Broyles field converted back to grass at some point in the future.

I've heard that argument before about receivers and such and don't buy it. The last time I checked EVERY player on BOTH teams on both sidelines were playing on the same field during the game. IF your players are faster/slower depending on the type field so are the opponents.

[deedster84]

Real Afghan Grass field

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

My only issue is that you can't knock someone's dick in the dirt anymore you knock it into the black rubber pellets. Just doesn't have the same ring.

Can you load their 'Love Gun' with pellets..?  Meh, not the same ring is it.. I guess you can knock their dick in the turf...

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

Real Afghan Grass field

That soldiers pocket is full as hell...

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

It was Petrino's idea to get rid of the grass. He believed that turf gave his receivers more speed. I never understood the logic of that. It also makes linebackers, corners and safeties faster so what's the big deal?

I suspect that the cost of going back to grass is an issue right now. They're spending money on so many other things a grass field for DWRRS is not a priority. If you throw in maintenance costs I'm pretty sure turf is cheaper even if you replace it every seven or eight years.

The athletic department has one of the best grass men in college athletics. The football grass practice field & Baum Stadium are great examples of the job he and his crew do.

I'd love to see Frank Broyles field converted back to grass at some point in the future.

I also thought he wanted to be able to practice on the playing field to give the receivers and QB familiar markers they could use to make their cuts and increase overall familiarity with the stadium. The grass wouldn't hold up to it...

[Inhogswetrust]

Real Afghan Grass field

MAYBE that's the one at old misses...................

[MuskogeeHogFan]

It was Petrino's idea to get rid of the grass. He believed that turf gave his receivers more speed. I never understood the logic of that. It also makes linebackers, corners and safeties faster so what's the big deal?

I suspect that the cost of going back to grass is an issue right now. They're spending money on so many other things a grass field for DWRRS is not a priority. If you throw in maintenance costs I'm pretty sure turf is cheaper even if you replace it every seven or eight years.

The athletic department has one of the best grass men in college athletics. The football grass practice field & Baum Stadium are great examples of the job he and his crew do.

I'd love to see Frank Broyles field converted back to grass at some point in the future.

But Mike, the receivers know where they are going before the play and the DB's/LB's have to react. It makes everyone's cuts quicker, but the advantage is to the receiver in BP's offense for a split second or two. So I can understand him wanting that.

[deedster84]

That soldiers pocket is full as hell...

Not too much. Smelled so good.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

But Mike, the receivers know where they are going before the play and the DB's/LB's have to react. It makes everyone's cuts quicker, but the advantage is to the receiver in BP's offense for a split second or two. So I can understand him wanting that.

I would think that the turf would make it easier for the DB to adjust and cut to cover the receiver better than real grass.  Seems like it would be a slower recovery on grass than turf. What do I know though, I'm just a simple cave man.