I'm pretty old school and preferred the grass. But at least we are seeing money spent on athletics now.

https://riceowls.com/news/2022/5/9/baseb...eason.aspx

Jesus why does everyone like this stuff some much. Heard Memphis was swtiching too. Hope ECU never changes to that stuff.

(05-09-2022 05:26 PM)oasispirate Wrote:  Jesus why does everyone like this stuff some much. Heard Memphis was swtiching too. Hope ECU never changes to that stuff.

I figure it's likely maintenance cost.

clt says Charlotte has it, one big advantage is the ability to play after rain/snow

That's disappointing. I really love natural grass and would prefer Rice invest in upgrading other aspects of their athletic infrastructure.

(05-09-2022 09:16 PM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt says Charlotte has it, one big advantage is the ability to play after rain/snow

Loki says "LOL, snow".

I like the artificial surface over grass for football. But still not sold on it for baseball. Maybe its because UH's baseball field doesn't have dirt between the bases... and that just looks weird to me.

One downside to grass is the maintenance cost, especially in a place as hot as Houston where it takes a bit of water to keep that low-cut grass looking green. One downside to artificial turf is that it gets much hotter on the field on sunny days, again, especially in a place as hot as Houston. Pick your poison. Really nice ballpark you guys have though. Been there for games a few times.

(05-09-2022 09:27 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  That's disappointing. I really love natural grass and would prefer Rice invest in upgrading other aspects of their athletic infrastructure.

You mean like something related to a sport you guys play?

Ok, noted. :haha:

SMH, don't you guys have like a 8 billion dollar endowment.

To the Houston poster, grass is much better for football imo. I'll say that even if ECU gets a case of the dumbs and switches.

(05-09-2022 09:16 PM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt says Charlotte has it, one big advantage is the ability to play after rain/snow

When ECU built Clark-LeClair, the field was basically built t0 the specs of golf course greens. The parking lot adjacent to the field has water storage tanks underground to capture rain/runoffs for watering the field. As long as the infield gets tarped, ECU has no problem playing a game after heavy rains.

It is likely based on recruiting, both because most high school players prefer/are familiar with turf (especially those that have experience in select/travel baseball) and because it allows you to host HS playoffs, tournaments, summer leagues, etc. without tearing up your field.

(05-11-2022 12:29 PM)pirate4105 Wrote:  

(05-09-2022 09:16 PM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt says Charlotte has it, one big advantage is the ability to play after rain/snow

When ECU built Clark-LeClair, the field was basically built t0 the specs of golf course greens. The parking lot adjacent to the field has water storage tanks underground to capture rain/runoffs for watering the field. As long as the infield gets tarped, ECU has no problem playing a game after heavy rains.

clt says that is interesting. we had to move a game from truist field uptown to campus due to rain. the knights were concerned that our game could tear up the field after the rain stopped.