Gold Glove first baseman Keith Hernandez says grounders "bounced like a SuperBall." But that wasn't the biggest problem: His ankles aren't good to this day because of the (artificial) turf at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, his home field from 1974-83. He would soak his feet in buckets of water while the Cardinals batted. "On day games the thermometer would read 148 off the turf," he recalled. "I remember Reggie Smith, when we got him from Boston, was out in right field in a day game in St. Louis in August, July, it's 100 degrees, and he had rubber cleats, and he had to call time out. They had melted."If I wore the metal spikes, it would have me branded under the soles on my feet on a real hot day, from the metal, it would sunburn my heel and the balls of my feet. I remember and I would go, 'Why are my feet on fire?'"
Artificial Turf is not the answer to saving water. What is the solution?
- Underground irrigation methods that save 70% on water, develop healthier root zones and more resilient grass.
- Weather based irrigation control systems that only deliver water when necessary
- Reducing ornamental, unusable grass areas in favor of providing more natural turf areas for sports and recreation.
...and it will save the feet and ankles of our kids (not to mention their overall health!)...the professional ball players of tomorrow!
To read the entire article...http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/Artificial-turf-goes-way-of-the-dead-ball-61580537.html#
