Turf fields 'perfect' in safety test

Posted on: Sep 20, 2017

Delano athletes are breaking in two new turf fields this fall, and initial reaction from players and coaches has been overwhelmingly positive.

Before athletes ever set foot on the fields, however, a rigorous set of tests were conducted to make sure both surfaces conformed to scientifically determined standards of safety. Experts from the Institute for Environmental Assessment, or IEA, came out in August to test the firmness of the fields.

“We’re not going to have much to report on here, because that field is perfect,” said IEA’s Doug Brown in reference to Tiger Stadium. “And [the upper field] should be perfect too.”

When the official reports were completed, Brown’s first impressions proved accurate. A three-person IEA team measured how hard each field was at 10 different points, using a tripod-mounted tube and a 20-pound “missile” to simulate the impact of an athlete’s head against the ground.

How hard a field is at any given location is measured with a “g-max” value; the harder the surface, the higher the number. The ideal g-max value is between 80 and 150. Too low and there is increased risk of leg injuries and slipping on a surface that is too soft. Too high, and there is greater risk of concussions from head-to-surface contact. Remedial action, such as adding more sand and rubber infill particles, is needed if a field’s value is between 150 and 200. And if a field’s g-max level exceeds 200, it should be taken out of commission until improvements are made.

The average g-max value at Tiger Stadium was 116, and its highest g-max recorded was 127. At the upper field the average g-max was 109, and the highest test location was 115.

“That’s right where you want to be at,” said Delano Activities Director Mike Lindquist. “You want to be in the middle of that safe range, and the numbers were nice and consistent across the entire field.”

Keeping it that way

Lindquist said the district plans to do g-max testing once a year going forward to monitor the condition of the fields and keep ahead of any maintenance concerns.

One of the primary issues with turf fields is that the infill particles tend to shift around in response to use, to be washed away by rain over time, or to be carried off in the shoes and equipment of athletes. When heavy use in a certain area reduces the amount of infill present, the g-max value of that area rises. At present, the fields are worked over once a week by broom to keep the infill evenly spread, and future tests will reveal areas where additional material might need to be added.

“We want the field to play very equal, no matter where you’re at,” said Lindquist. “We don’t want to start losing that. If you don’t take care of your field the infill will be moving.”

Another measure Delano’s athletic department has taken to maintain the fields involves rotating different sports on the turf during practice sessions. The rotation ensures that different areas of the fields are used more heavily at various times, which helps prevent uneven compaction.

Enjoying the turf

Coaches and players alike are enjoying playing on the turf so far. Rain does little to limit the availability of the fields, unlike the natural surfaces that preceded them.

“It rained all day [Monday, Sept. 18] and we were still able to play a football game on the field that night,” said Lindquist. “People weren’t slipping and we didn’t have to worry about puddles. Everything has been just top notch. Even if it’s raining a little bit you can still practice on the fields too. The ball might get wet and your shoes get wet, but the surface is always nice and smooth and safe. The water runs right through it.”

After 31 years at the Delano schools, Lindquist isn’t taking the improvements for granted.

“Before this we hadn’t really done much for any of the fields, so this was a huge upgrade,” he said, adding that the district’s athletic facilities are also used heavily by youth sports associations. “I know the athletic community and the school and our department were really excited to have the upgraded facilities. The kids really like playing on it. So it has been a really positive thing.”