From where I was sitting, it seemed to me that the hitting in the UCla game was a bit more intense than what I have observed in our previous contests. Yet we came out of this game in better shape than our earlier games. As far as I know, Daniel Lasco was the only injury we suffered. I have always maintained (and still do) that grass is a superior surface for football and rugby. Major League baseball has figured this out. I wish we had the option of a natural grass field, but we don't. Nonetheless, I do think that it's worth noting. I am very thankful we still have one more game on a real grass field. Sadly, it will be our final game of the season.

Richie Allen had it right; "If a horse won't eat it, I don't want to play on it.".

I agree ever since the new turf our injury rate has gone up... Not sure if there is any reasonable solution at this point though

I agree also... Grass is so much better especially in a beautiful area like the bay area. We don't have a ton of rain ruining the field turning it to mud. The turf we have is actually kind of slick. Unlike grass in normal shoes the field is not necessarily slippery, but slick and nothing like grass. The problem is grass fields cost a lot of money every year. You have to water, maintain, field crew, upkeep, etc. You have a big cost on field turf and for the most part that is it. The yearly maintenance is much less. Practicing a lot on it does not bring down the quality of the field like it would with grass. Plus you can have other uses for the field. Right now for example Field Hockey Men's and Women use it while with grass you may not want other teams using the field.

If I had my choice though grass all the way.

The use of grass in Berkeley has long been an issue.
No seriously: I agree with the consensus. I had the impression Cal played better on grass, but I checked it out and it isn't really true. I think the artificial turf helped our run based offense. Guys like Lynch, Best and Vereen could get to speed pretty quickly. But now I think it helps opposing DEs get to our QB in our pass based offense. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

I wonder if the field is too spongy. I am basing this on the way the ball tends to die on punts. Grass is soft on the surface but still gives a solid footing unless it is wet. This stuff could have too much padding. Too much padding would seem good, but it could contribute to leg injuries.

Seriously, though: how much would it cost to throw some grass/sod in there? I assume that when they re-did the stadium they at least ran the bare minimum in water lines and drainage to be positioned in such a way that would allow for an irrigation system to be installed and sod to be placed.

team in the pac 12 play on turf vs grass.. lets look that the injuries from that stand point

HaloBear;842198522 said:

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Seriously, though: how much would it cost to throw some grass/sod in there? I assume that when they re-did the stadium they at least ran the bare minimum in water lines and drainage to be positioned in such a way that would allow for an irrigation system to be installed and sod to be placed.

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Laying the sod down is one thing, the price of maintaining it and all the systems is another. Also since CMS functions as the regular practice field, I doubt you'll see the change.

So is it really the turf causing injuries? How many injuries did Cal have last season and the last season in the old CMS?

even Cal's recruits are injured too...that cover story mentions Tartabull was injured in a game against Loyola...i guess Dykes already has excuses for next year's team already...
:acclaim:

going4roses;842198525 said:

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team in the pac 12 play on turf vs grass.. lets look that the injuries from that stand point

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P12 stadiums w/ turf:
Washington
Oregon
Oregon State
Utah
Washington State
California

Other major FBS programs with turf:
Michigan
Ohio State
Nebraska
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Illinois
Rutgers
Indiana
Iowa
Maryland

Kansas
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
Texas
Baylor
West Virginia
Kansas State

Wake Forest
Louisville
Boston College
Syracuse (dome)

Arkansas
Mississippi State
Missouri
Vanderbilt

So that's 31/64 schools in the big 5 conferences with turf. Southern schools might actually prefer turf due to it's uniform surface, but it is way to hot to use it during much of the season. And even if turf causes slightly more knee injuries, Northern schools might see fewer injuries overall injuries because turf is more forgiving in the winter when the ground is frozen, and fewer injuries due to a ripped up field of dormant grass that doesn't happen in warmer climates.

One thing to note is that Cal uses Matrix Turf, only one other FBS school (UTEP) has this type, and only one NFL team (Cowboys). It is not common, so who knows if it could actually be causing injuries at a greater rate than the standard FieldTurf. Cal also practices on the CMS field, so it will wear a lot faster than at schools that have dedicated practice fields. I don't see any way we can put grass in CMS unless we appropriate another field somewhere for practices (preferably TWO fields). Not much space.

ColoradoBear1;842198548 said:

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P12 stadiums w/ turf:
Washington
Oregon
Oregon State
Utah
Washington State
California

Other major FBS programs with turf:
Michigan
Ohio State
Nebraska
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Illinois
Rutgers
Indiana
Iowa
Maryland

Kansas
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
Texas
Baylor
West Virginia
Kansas State

Wake Forest
Louisville
Boston College
Syracuse (dome)

Arkansas
Mississippi State
Missouri
Vanderbilt

So that's 31/64 schools in the big 5 conferences with turf. Southern schools might actually prefer turf due to it's uniform surface, but it is way to hot to use it during much of the season. And even if turf causes slightly more knee injuries, Northern schools might see fewer injuries overall injuries because turf is more forgiving in the winter when the ground is frozen, and fewer injuries due to a ripped up field of dormant grass that doesn't happen in warmer climates.

One thing to note is that Cal uses Matrix Turf, only one other FBS school (UTEP) has this type, and only one NFL team (Cowboys). It is not common, so who knows if it could actually be causing injuries at a greater rate than the standard FieldTurf. Cal also practices on the CMS field, so it will wear a lot faster than at schools that have dedicated practice fields. I don't see any way we can put grass in CMS unless we appropriate another field somewhere for practices (preferably TWO fields). Not much space.

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how the hell you know so much about this? your field of work ? how many injuries do the dallas cowboys have or teams playing there ?