Keeping Athletes Safe

 -Karlie Heilman

Do you want to maximize the success of your athletes? Choosing the correct surface for your athletes could do just that! Injuries happen and they can be detrimental to an athlete's physical and even mental health. Of course there are precautions that we can take to help keep these athletes safe and minimize their risk. Athletes work hard to keep their bodies strong and healthy, but there are some elements that are out of their control, such as the surface they are playing on. This is where TurfIt steps in and provides a reliable, safe and consistent surface for our athletes to perform to their best ability.

A well-maintained grass field is the safest option for athletes, but this can also be very costly and difficult to maintain. This is where artificial turf can become very beneficial and safe for athletes. An artificial turf field is a consistent surface, there’s no dirt or mud that can slip out from under an athlete or even create a hole that an athlete can step in causing a severe injury. Injuries can keep an athlete away from their game for days, weeks, or even months, and we need to provide the resources to keep them healthy and playing their best.

According to Seleznow “For a player, stumbling into a hole can cause a serious injury. They may break their ankles or their entire leg. Synthetic fields remove that possibility. Holes are less likely to occur in synthetic fields. This is due to the network of meshes that are interlocked together to create the field.” Injuries are an athletes worst nightmare, we need to protect our athletes as much as we can and artificial turf allows the safest and most consistent surface for these athletes. 

The Basics of Turf Infill

 By: Emeline Rodger

What Exactly is Infill?

Infill is a necessary part of installing an artificial turf field. It adds cushion and support while protecting the athletes who will be using it. There are three things to look for in an infill:

• Durability

• Shock Absorption

• Stability

There are a few different types of infills which can range in price and specific use. They all have their own positives and negatives.

5 Benefits of a Turf Field

 By: Alexander Slate

#1: No restriction for weather 

The first benefit of a turf field is the endurance of climate. Unlike grass that freezes and thaws, turf generally retains its composition. Turf fields do not get muddy or flood. In regards to this, turf fields do not need to be watered and mowed. Saving time and money on that maintenance routine. 

#2: Saving water

Speaking of saving time and money on maintenance, unlike grass fields turf doesn’t need water! The average grass football field requires about 60,000 gallons of water each week. Getting a turf field installed drastically reduces this gallon count. Helping you save water for the planet and save money in your wallet. 

#3: Cost to benefit ratio 

Though turf is very expensive upfront, it only needs to be replaced every couple of years. Whereas a grass field needs constant maintenance and that is constant money being spent. Turf fields in the long run are much less expensive because it only needs to be changed every 8-10 years!

#4: Durability of usage 

Unlike grass which gets bald, wet, and dry spots turf can handle the foot traffic better. The constant use of a field is something everyone wants. Nobody wants to spend money on a nice and expensive field only for it to get used a couple times a day. Turf can handle the running, playing, and ware and tear that a grass field simply can’t compete with. 

#5: Better for the environment 

You may think turf is bad for the environment seeing as it is a bunch of plastic being installed into the ground. Though that just isn’t true. The amount of water usage, pesticides, and paint sprayed onto grass combines for a cocktail horrible for the environment. Whereas on a turf field, pesticides are completely unnecessary and no need for painting, the lines are installed!