Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's?

[Admin]

Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's?

I remember the very first Year we held the Rec League & Youth League World Series. In Chillicothe, Ohio using the Chillicothe Paints Baseball League VA Stadium.

It was a beauty venue, almost remind you of Stadiums that you seen in old news reels or the movie "league of their own".

We had one complaint from Coaches and Parents. Not the players they loved it.

The big compliant! Artificial Turf, yep.

Statements from people that complaint the loudest.

Girls Don't Play Softball on artificial turf. The Girls play on dirt or clay. Its always been that way.

Say its not so Joe?

Well it 2014, allot of Parks are going to artificial turf. So I guest this could be the end of Girls Fastpitch Softball. Maybe it time to change the name of the game.

Maybe Turf Ball will work, how about Artificial Softball, and if your playing on Grass o watch out because it's going to get all kind of crazy.

Now let's part ways right here, because I believe the game can be played on artificial turf every day. And I don't have a problem if the game being played on grass.

I mean really people think about it. Accept for the pitchers mound on a baseball field, and I don't even have a problem with that. What's wrong with playing on grass?

I think one of the draw back for the pro's, has been finding adequate facilities. OK I'm aware that money is a factor.

But what a way to reduce your start up cost. Play on grass stadiums and become the sister team to the minor league teams that's already using the facility.

What a novice idea! Right?

I'm sure you will need to make some adjustment to the game on defense and offense, if your playing on grass or artificial turf.

So what we make changes everyday!

Forum what do you think?

A.) Is it OK to play Girls Fastpitch Softball on artificial turf?

B.) Your OK playing on artificial turf, how about playing on grass?

C.) OK you hate playing on artificial turf, tell the forum why you hate playing on artificial turf.

D.) If you hate playing Girls Fastpitch Softball on artificial turf, I'm almost 100% sure playing on Grass would be abomination to the sport.

Why?
Give me some real reason why it would be that bad to play on grass.

#TeamTSZ

 

[FastBat]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

I think it's ok to play on artificial turf.

Grass is fine, too.

I love artificial turf b/c my dd practices/pitches on it all winter!

WHY? You have to be able to be flexible in softball and in life. You just can't be that picky!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

If you look at injury rates. The research doesn't show which one is safer. Here is an article that explains it. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sportsdoc/Grass-vs-Turf-does-it-affect-injury-rate.html

 

[JoeA1010]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

Several high schools and parks in the Pacific NW have Field Turf. Madonna has it up here in Michigan and our school, Hillsdale, has given it consideration. I don't like the game on Field Turf because it's too bouncy, but I'm actually in favor of it. Trying to play in March in Michigan is very difficult and a lot of work. Having Field Turf eliminates the hassle of a tarp, tons of work to get the field ready almost every time we play and worrying about laser grading the field, lips, getting the grass mowed, etc.

 

[Comp]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

My daughters college went to turf her senior year and they loved it. She didnt mention anything about the field being more "bouncey" and many of them played in tennis shoes instead of spikes. It definitely cut down on field maintenance and prep time.

 

[Louuuuu]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

I'm with JoeA and Comp. With the conditions we have here in Spring, turf has a lot of advantages.

In a perfect world, though, I'm sure we would all rather be playing on grass. (But, it's not a perfect world - except for SoCal Dad )

 

[cork34]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

I assume you are talking about artificial turf for the outfield? If you talking about artificial turf for the infield I am totally against it. I have personally witnessed how an artificial turf infield completely changes the game from the short game, to a well hit ground ball, pitching, to running the bases and stealing. The game is meant to be played on a dirt infield.

 

[MD 20/20]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

We played on Turf almost the entire weekend of the all-sanction at Berliner and I loved it. true hops and it plays fast. I really noticed no difference in the short game which surprised me a bit. I figured bunts would travel differently, but they didn't seem to.

 

[baldguy]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

My DD's been practicing on turf the past couple of weeks and I think turf bounces more than dirt as well. Maybe it depends on the turf. Some may have a higher flubber content than others. Who knows?

My DD likes the turf overall but she would list the cons as rubber pellets in your shoes and other areas. She's also not a fan of getting blasted by the pellets flung up by a grounder. I think it's hilarious.

Other than the higher bounce I didn't see any huge differences. They can still run, slide, bunt, etc...

We've played on grass a couple times before and once you get used to the green stuff in the infield it's not too bad either.

 

[Converse Kid]

Re: Girls Fastpitch Softball playing on artificial turf or real grass pro's and con's

From what I have noticed, it creates an edge for the girls by the fast play. I have heard from various players that after playing on the turf, it slows the game back down when they get back on the real fields which adds to their advantage. As far as playing on Real Grass, I say why not? Most of us grew up playing on the grass lots next to our houses during childhood.