Which is best for your program?

By: Anton KingNatural Grass

Synthetic Turf

Purpose of Project

Compare and Contrast The view point:

Presenting a client with all of the possible information available for them to choose which playing surface is right for their program

Focus on football and baseball facilities Similar for softball, lacrosse, & soccer

How I Came to my Findings

In-depth research Interviews with 2 experts

Brad Morrison – CEO, Maumee Bay Turf Center Lenny Yoder – Head Groundskeeper, Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Club

Interviews with players Quinton Holloway, Trine University, Baseball Ryan Bethal, Huntington University, Baseball Kory Shackle, Trine University, Baseball Alvaro Castelan, Trine University, Football, Soccer

History

Synthetic Turf 1st Generation

Original AstroTurf 2nd Generation 3rd Generation (Current)

Natural Grass Before 1960’s – only thing available

Trends in Field Surfacing

College and High School Move towards Synthetic Turf Ability to get early spring time games played

Professional Major League Baseball – Natural Grass National Football League – ½ & ½

Dependent on domed or open

Injury Risks

Synthetic Turf Dangerous Temperatures Concussions Turf Burn

Natural Grass Inconsistent ground

Installation of Synthetic Turf

Site preparation Drainage System Concrete poured Base formed Turf Laid

Color is already predetermined Includes field lines

Infill is Added

Time Table (weather dependent) Field excavation – 6 days Outer concrete curb – 6 days Drainage System – 6 days Concrete base foundation – 8 days Turf laid out – 27 days Sewing seams – 8 days Field/Decorative marks – 8 days Infill added – 5 days Cleanup – 3 days

Grand Total – 77 days (2 ½ months)

Installation of Natural Grass

Drainage System (already present)

Sand Sod laid

Comes in rolls Mowed

Time Table (weather dependent) Field excavation – 6 days Sand laid – 3 days Sod laid – 3 days Mowed once long enough

Grand Total – 12 days

Initial Cost

Maintenance CostsAnnual Maintenance Costs

Natural Grass Field TurfMowing Equipment $ 7,068.00 $ - Labor Cost ($20/hour) $ 6,000.00 $ 1,000.00 Clipping Removal $ 2,861.00 $ - Fertilization $ 4,856.00 $ - Overseeding $ 466.00 $ - Coring $ 2,848.00 $ - Topdressing $ 9,565.00 $ - Thatch Removal $ 185.00 $ - Monitor Irrigation $ 846.00 $ - Equipment Depreciation and Fuel $ 3,500.00 $ 1,500.00 Water Cost $ 5,400.00 $ - Subtotal $ 43,595.00 $ 2,500.00

Re-Stripping Field LinesLabor $ 5,800.00 $ 1,000.00 Material $ 3,105.00 $ 1,500.00

$ 52,500.00 $ 5,000.00

Maintenance Equipment Natural Grass

Mower ($30,000) Irrigation System ($10,000) Painter ($3,000) Pull-behind sweeper ($300) Fertilizer spreader/sprayer ($100 - $500)

Synthetic Turf Sweeper/Magnet ($7,500) Pull-behind drag ($9,000) Decompaction Rake ($2,000) Sprayer ($500)

Current Professional Surfaces

Major League Baseball Natural Grass – 28 stadiums Synthetic Turf – 2 stadiums

Toronto Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre (Retractable Roof) Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field (Dome)

National Football League Natural Grass – 17 stadiums Synthetic Turf – 12 Hybrid – 2

Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field Miami Dolphins’ Miami Stadium

Things to Consider

Natural Grass Initial Cost - $570,000 Maintenance Cost - $52,500 per

year Lifespan – 7 to 12 years Yearly hour usage – 625 Ability to fix in-house: Yes Temperature risk: Low Need for water: Daily

Synthetic Turf Initial Cost - $750,000 Maintenance Cost - $5,000 per

year Lifespan – 8 to 10 years Yearly hour usage – 2,992 Ability to fix in-house: No Temperature risk: Extremely

High Need for water: Minimal

The 4 athletes interviewed all preferred Natural Grass.

My RecommendationsSynthetic Turf Located in Midwest Region

Baseball – ability to get games in

Football/Lacrosse Soccer

Domed facility Value aesthetics over injury risk Afford the high initial cost Limit maintenance cost & time Located in water restricted area

Natural Grass Warmer climate Afford to maintain Baseball Prevent injury Cheaper initial cost

In the end, they cost about the same price after a 10 year span, so it comes down to what values are more important in each situation for your program.

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