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Synthetic Turf Talk PANSTADIA & ARENA MANAGEMENT 2ND QUARTER 2019 Tampa Bay Rays play on an artificial surface at Tropicana Field SYNTHETIC TURF TALK The use of synthetic playing surfaces continues to cause debate, but they remain ever popular. he pros and cons of using synthetic Synthetic surfaces continue to be The club says it was convinced that Tturf pitches for sports have been enormously popular, however, and it is the surface was the best option debated for years. estimated that across the US at least for the ballpark, and that its design While some praise the durability and 12,000 crumb rubber fields are already alleviated concerns over player safety consistency of artificial turf, others in use, with 1,200 to 1,500 more being that have traditionally surrounded express concerns over the impact on installed each year. synthetic surfaces. players’ bodies. The new Texas Rangers Globe Life Rangers officials said they decided to go Footballers in Scotland’s Premiership Field ballpark will feature a specially with the synthetic grass after two years have called for artificial pitches to designed synthetic playing surface of research that involved player safety, be banned because of concerns over rather than grass when it opens team performance and fan experience. player safety. Hamilton Academical, in 2020. Rangers VP Rob Matwick said: “From Kilmarnock and Livingston play on Shaw Sports Turf, which will provide our first visit with the staff at Shaw artificial surfaces. the synthetic turf field, usedGlobe Sports Turf, we were clear that a In a wider context, there are also Life Park’s current grass field as one synthetic grass surface for Globe Life concerns that the rubber infill used in of the benchmarks for an ongoing Field would only be a consideration the artificial pitches may cause cancer. playability study. if it could deliver the best surface in 82 www.psam.uk.com Major League Baseball and address the FEATURE concerns we had related to impact on PLAYING the players. SURFACES “Months of detailed research that included extensive input from our Baseball Operations group from both a health and performance aspect have resulted in this decision.” The Rangers say the ball will roll the same way it would on natural grass. They also claim the artificial surface will be easier on player’s legs than natural grass. “I got involved in this study to make sure this was the best possible synthetic playing surface for our players to play on,” said Rangers senior medical director Jamie Reed, who oversaw the research. “I’m very confident this is Globe Life Field ballpark will going to be the best artificial playing feature a synthetic turf surface surface in the game. It will be the safest Image courtesy of HKS for our players and for the fans. I’m really confident this is going to be a great product.” than previous generations, perhaps even a franchise that definitely does its The new surface will feature an organic more consistent and reliable than grass. homework and they don’t take any infill of crushed coconut shells and Or at least the kind of grass that could decision lightly, especially this one. We sand instead of rubber pellets. It will be grown in a retractable-roof stadium are very excited for the opportunity to feature a safety pad beneath and dirt in with a playing surface more than 70 partner with them on this project. the basepaths. feet below street level. “Throughout their research and our It is designed to make this artificial Vice President of Shaw Turf Chuck discussions with them, they have placed surface safer and more reliably playable McClurg said: “The Texas Rangers are an emphasis on player safety and Advert PANSTADIA & ARENA MANAGEMENT 2ND QUARTER 2019 team performance. We are confident Infill is designed to hold the turf fibres Maintaining surfaces that the product we deliver will be an up, as well as to provide traction and exceptionally consistent, top-of-the-line some cushioning for the field. with SMG playing surface that will mimic the best Regular maintenance is crucial in Traditionally, the infill has consisted of natural playing surfaces in Major League keeping a synthetic playing surface in crumb rubber and sand, but recently Baseball today.” good condition. attempts at alternatives have included Texas Rangers’ decision will make it the materials such as cork, coconut husks, SMG is worldwide considered to fourth of the 30 Major League teams to coated sand, walnut shells, and even be a pioneer in the maintenance of use artificial turf. synthetic sports surfaces and in olive pits. several other areas. Toronto’s Rogers Centre and Tampa Another new development is wooden Bay’s Tropicana Field have had artificial Today the company offers the pellet infill developed by Brock USA. turf since they opened, while Arizona’s largest product range for machines Chase Field is switching from grass to The company claims BrockFILL is the to maintain and clean the world’s synthetic turf this season. first affordable and durable organic artificial turf fields – a total of more replacement for crumb rubber. than 20 machines and attachments. Synthetic In this market, SMG has developed Dan Sawyer, CEO of Brock USA, said: turf system and defined new standards based “Traditional artificial turf has been a on its long-term experience, which A typical artificial turf system is great solution for so many clients, but provide users not only with valuable comprised of four key components: the times are changing. We know more information for handling, but also base, a quality shock pad – for impact about athlete safety, and our planet with helpful guidance in deciding absorption and safety, the turf itself, needs sustainable solutions that are on the right product to do the best and the infill. affordable. The system of a rubber possible job. When construction begins the infilled carpet laid directly over stone Regular maintenance includes contractor grades a stone base which was a good step forward 25 years inspection of lines and seams, includes a drainage system, the shock ago, but innovation and improved care cleaning of the surface, levelling pad is installed, and then the turf gets for our athletes must continue. Turf and uniform spreading of infill, and rolled out. fields of the future need a system brushing of the fibres. Advanced Markings and any other design elements that is cooler, has a responsible end of maintenance treatments not only are then added before the infill gets life solution, and elevates the safety include all of the aforementioned brushed into the turf fibres. levels to those of natural grass.” n tasks, but also all additional necessary maintenance procedures: decompaction and deep cleaning, seasonal maintenance (winter service), the removing of moss, and repairs. Performing these tasks requires SMG equipment fitted with motorised brushes and suction systems – like the CareMax CM2, a ride-on machine for the cleaning and care of artificial turf. Its integrated proven technology will assure that the physical performance characteristics of the artificial turf will be maintained at all times. Tobias Owegeser, CEO of SMG, said: "SMG equipment and their special attachments are suitable for all types and sizes of synthetic sports surfaces – from the smallest playgrounds to the largest stadiums. Over the years, SMG has been cooperating with numerous business partners who do appreciate and trust our business policies, which have always been about meeting our customers’ highest expectations.” 84 feature PLAYING SURFACES.
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