Turf field
- Thread starter Mike
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- Dec 7, 2011
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Hopefully it is one of those newer turf fields with the cushioning (ground-up black pieces of rubber embedded in the astroturf). If it's just green carpetig on concrete I wouldn't even let over 12U play on it (too fast).
The most shocking thing with that is the line drive skips that can occur. Then there are the plays off the roof net that are a real excitement.
Been to three different places and it's always turf shoes with nothing metal allowed.
The most shocking thing with that is the line drive skips that can occur. Then there are the plays off the roof net that are a real excitement.
Been to three different places and it's always turf shoes with nothing metal allowed.
- Jan 31, 2011
- 458
- 43
I would wear regular gym shoes. We just played last weekend in a dome. It has the turf with rubber bits embedded. We wore rubber cleats our first game and then changed to gym shoes.
The bounces that come off the turf are not natural. Expect higher bouncing and harder shots off the bat. The ground surface takes little off the ball.
However, it beats indoor practice and we got to play 5 very competitive games. Lots of fun for winter in the Midwest.
The bounces that come off the turf are not natural. Expect higher bouncing and harder shots off the bat. The ground surface takes little off the ball.
However, it beats indoor practice and we got to play 5 very competitive games. Lots of fun for winter in the Midwest.
very fast surface, practice with softies about the same kind of play you will get off the turf. I recomend either turf shoes or gym shoes.
Whatever you do, make sure you hit a bunch of balls to the kids on the turf. Get them accustomed to the bounces. The hard old style turf the ball will skip and stay low. The newer turf with the rubber bits, the ball might bounce a bit higher and could catch an unspecting player in the face. Face masks in the outfield might be a good thing if they have them, at least until they get used to the bounces
Ditto the above...sneakers or turf shoes. Just remeber that the ball will continue on it's trajectory. In other words, if it's a line drive it will skip. If it's a high pop-up, it will bounce up. The lesser the amount of cushioning under and in the turf, the larger the effect on the ball. It is an extremely fast surface to boot. Face masks for everyone on the field is highly recommended.
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We won't let our kids wear steel, we change to our rubber cleats In a game we watched a girl slide into second base the steel stuck in the turf and she broke her leg in two places. After watching that on the field they don't even like to play on turf.
That's why we make our team wear sneakers when we play tournaments on turf. Even rubber cleats will catch and break an ankle. We learned that the hard way beginning of the Winter season. One of our girls caught her rubber cleat sliding into second on a steal and broke a growth plate in her foot and her ankle. She was out for 6 weeks and is just now getting back into the swing of things.
- Jul 28, 2008
- 1,084
- 0
Mike,
The turf you will be playing on is field turf with the rubber pieces in it. It's very bouncy, but there are no bad hops.
If it's raining or wet out, I would think twice about wearing gym shoes. It will be slippery. Either way, have your girls bring both and go with what they're comfortable with.
Good luck
The turf you will be playing on is field turf with the rubber pieces in it. It's very bouncy, but there are no bad hops.
If it's raining or wet out, I would think twice about wearing gym shoes. It will be slippery. Either way, have your girls bring both and go with what they're comfortable with.
Good luck
