Fast Pitch on Artificial Turf

Looking for some input.

American Legends Park in Sandusky Ohio will be building a tournament complex for girls fastpitch.

We are doing some market research regarding field construction and general tournament play.

1. Will teams play on artificial turff infields. IE the new rubber infill turff?

2. Would teams be interestd in playing in a week long, 7 game guarantee fast pitch tournament ?

Playing fastpitch on an all field turf field would be preferable to playing on a grass infield, however an all dirt infield is preferable to both.

Unless the week long event is a national, world series-type, tournament or is hosted by a fastpitch celebrity I don't think it would interest the fastpitch consumer. Many travel ball families have already planned on attending a world series type event and for most it would be a financial hardship to attend another week long event.

DDs HS team has played on the Turf infield down in Mrytle Beach and for the most part, they liked it. There is the random ball spin that turns a normal grounder into an adventure.

You deal with the turf in the winter because dirt in not readily available, but why would you want to play on turf if there is dirt and grass??? Fastpitch plays on dirt infields and grass outfields, if you are building a fastpitch complex, why vary?? We'd avoid it.

For winter ball it would be great, have to agree with klump on this one. But hey if its good for the sport I wish you the best of luck.

For more info I would call the Spano Dome in Akron, Ohio (330-644-0229) they would be able to answer more of the business concerns.

Our girl's play on that same type of turf quite a bit at the V.A. in chillicothe and just love it. Look out though when wet like ice.

Klump said:

You deal with the turf in the winter because dirt in not readily available, but why would you want to play on turf if there is dirt and grass??? Fastpitch plays on dirt infields and grass outfields, if you are building a fastpitch complex, why vary?? We'd avoid it.

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Because all you have to do after a rain is squeegee(?) the surface and you are ready to go. The only thing you have re-line is the batters box, which is a dirt surface usually. No grass to cut. No dragging the infield. Just remove the coverings for the pitcher's circle and the batters boxes and play ball.

However, the park would have to have a "GUM" police squad to ensure that no gum gets anywhere near the field.

Aahhh....laziness. Gotcha

How is it to slide on into a base? I'm thinking dirt.

Klump said:

Aahhh....laziness. Gotcha

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Not laziness, but efficiency. They are looking to run this as a business, not a city-run ballpark that could care less about maintaining fields.

Nothing beats dirt and grass gotta agree, as far as the week long thing.... are you talking like a camp that we can send our dd's to? Parents usually work through the week and travel on the weekends to tournies(another 40 hour work week in three days). Unless it was local teams to the location you might find it difficult to get teams coming from any distance.

If you build it, They will come!




FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing too SLOW!

I wouldn't want to play on turf......but that's just me =/ Turf is a lot easier to maintain, so I can see where it would be a good idea to build the fields with it. I just really like playing on dirt!

Isn't rain the reason tarps were invented?

Playing on a grass or turf infield is a different game. Why would anyone want to? No serious teams would bother with it and it couldn't be sanctioned. I rather take the team bowling.

mustohiofastpitch said:

Playing on a grass or turf infield is a different game. Why would anyone want to? No serious teams would bother with it and it couldn't be sanctioned. I rather take the team bowling.

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Why can't it be sanctioned? There are all turf fields showing up all over the place. And I've checked into it already. Every sanctioning body will allow it, as long as measurements can be met.

The University of Louisville's baseball team has an all turf field, including the pitchers mound & batters box. The SWAC conference fastpitch tournament was played on a field that was all turf. Just to name 2 that have been shown on ESPN recently.

There are many reasons to go in this direction, especially if your attempting to make a business out of it. It's an outdoor business, therefore the more days you can be open the more $$$ you make. Especially if your in the northern states, going this direction would be greatly beneficial.

Not to mention other activities that you can run and not damage the field during non-softball times of the year.

There are many advantages to a turf field and many of it is $$$ related. I live in the greater Cincinnati area and I'll just use this area as an example:
-There is no mowing of the grass 3 days a week or dragging the field. (Saves $$$ on gas)
-There are very few rainouts. (Saves $$$ on diamond dry & adds $$$ because games are being played)
-I can hold many events and not damage the field (flag football, ******, concerts, clinics)
-I can open earlier than a dirt/grass park
-I can close later than a dirt/grass park
-I can open anytime the weather breaks
-I can rent the park to high school teams who are tired of being inside

The disadvantage is:
Change. Like many other things, people are afraid of something new.

I was at a tournament at a park on the eastside 3 weeks ago. Friday night brought a monster thunderstorm, washing out Saturdays games, yet the weather was mid 70's & sunny. Sunday brought 5 games in almost 90? weather. That's not happening at an all turf park. Games would have been played on Saturday at an all turf park. I spoke with many coaches (30+) at this tournament & not 1 was negative towards an all turf complex.

Before you bash it, think about it with an open mind.