Sliding on artificial grass

[pgibbons]

There’s a chance that I can get into a winter league this month. The only catch - the entire playing surface is artificial grass - even the base paths. I can’t remember what the stuff is called, but it’s one of the new kinds of artificial surfaces similar to what was installed last year in Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) in Toronto. It’s not like that old carpet-y stuff they used to have, it’s more like actual grass... kind of.

The reason I ask is because one of my biggest fears getting back into the game in my mid-thirties, is sliding. Mix that fear with an artificial surface that I’m unfamiliar with and I worry I could end my amateur adult career before it begins.

Anyone have any experience with this stuff?

[Jake Patterson]

Hi Pete,
Have seen it and looked at companies that sold it, but never played on it. I do know some of the new stuff is greatly different than the old "astro turf" type stuff.

[Ursa Major]

Our college football team plays on some of that stuff, and when we went on it for "fan appreciation day" it seemed spongy enough that it won't be too hard to slide on, particularly if you get sliding pads. If you get pants with a bit of nylon in 'em, you'll probably slide a bit better to.

[hiddengem]

Are you sure that the area around the bases isn't dirt? I've never seen an artificial field that had turf around the bases. If you slide on artifcial turf, you'll have a high chance of blowing a knee out if you don't know what you are doing.

[west coast orange and black]

c'mon, pgibbons, the women used to slide in the dirt wearing skirts!

[tadlock11]

Are you going to be playing at a 'Big League Dreams' field? Just curious, have not played on it but watched kids do it with no (apparent) problems.

[pgibbons]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

Are you sure that the area around the bases isn't dirt? I've never seen an artificial field that had turf around the bases.

Yeah, I'm sure. It's a multi-use field with no cut-outs. It's typically used for soccer and lacrosse, but this year they're going to try baseball.

Originally Posted by hiddengem

If you slide on artifcial turf, you'll have a high chance of blowing a knee out if you don't know what you are doing.

Exactly what I'm afraid of.

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

c'mon, pgibbons, the women used to slide in the dirt wearing skirts!

That's because they're tougher than me

Originally Posted by tadlock11

Are you going to be playing at a 'Big League Dreams' field? Just curious, have not played on it but watched kids do it with no (apparent) problems.

No, I hadn't heard of 'Big League Dreams' fields until you mentioned. I searched and found this:

http://www.bigleaguedreams.com/

Looks kinda interesting...

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by pgibbons

Yeah, I'm sure. It's a multi-use field with no cut-outs. It's typically used for soccer and lacrosse, but this year they're going to try baseball.

Don't slide unless you want a reason to leave the team

[pgibbons]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

Don't slide unless you want a reason to leave the team

Yeah, if my teammates start encouraging me to slide more, I'll know what they really think of my skills (or lack thereof)

[Yankeesfan1234]

A community college near me has that stuff... i played on it for a clinic it wasn't bad... but there is dirt around the bases on ours

[Ursa Major]

Find a 12 year old to slide on it first, and see how freely he slides with an ordinary slide. If it seems to grab his clothes, I'd just decide that trying to take the extra base ain't worth it. If Jeremy Giambi doesn't need to slide, why do you?

If you feel he made it safely with plenty or margin for error, make sure you don't catch the side of your cleat in the stuff when you try it. And nylon wind pants are starting to sound better and better...

[Guerrero Mad Man 2715]

I think it might be astroturf. It is a very hard survace and has fake grass on the top and made and supported by bits of rubber.