Be much more like a natural grass field.
After 13 years, that’s how we get better! It matters most importantly for player safety – but also practically for the shoes you should wear here now (plastic cleats!).
Last week we completed our new field 🙏🏽. It marries 13 years of playing experience on our beloved first field – with true innovation in sports field technology.
GMax. A key measure.
Our new field measured consistently under 100 on the standard “Gmax” test. For comparison, our first field ranged from 150-170. (This test is the standard for measuring safety and softness/hardness of athletic fields.) An excellent natural grass field – the benchmark – will produce a GMax below 100, and often below 80. And now with our use of shock pads and NO rubber infill, this safety and performance will remain consistent across the field.
Pictures can be worth 1,000 words. Above is a side-by-side of our “og” field versus today. It shows the much less dense grass fiber when infill (imitating soil) is removed. Then see a cross-section with rubber infill as it was removed last week.
Our new field will play much differently than how we’ve come to think of “harder” artificial fields. But as it gets broken in with each new game, we are so excited.
Be much more like a natural grass field – part 2.
Pivot Cool infused into the field
With 200% denser grass fiber on a shock pad, the final phase was to spread/brush/infuse 2.5 lbs per square foot of Pivot Cool into the field … 42,000 lbs! For the nerds out there, this is oolitic calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)! These are smooth, consistently round sand grains that enable airflow between grains that boosts cooling and evaporation of the field. In addition, its chemical properties will: 1) naturally react with any sweat residue to trap/eliminate odors; and 2) better resist bacteria. Bottom line: a cooler, cleaner field thanks to the coral sands of Mother Nature.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about our field … for helping us care for it. It takes a village.
💦 Water-only on our indoor field.
❌ If chewing gum, it should be placed in the gum bucket.
🤎 Clean cleats outside and/or pick up the mud inside.
✅ Clean field/facility as you finish … please take away everything brought in.