Throughout the years, a majority of outdoor sports have competed for turf time. This upcoming summer, the athletic department plans to turf the baseball, softball, and soccer fields. This excites CHS student athletes because turf fields provide many new opportunities along with a lot of advantages.
“I definitely think that it speeds the ball up a lot more than you think because with dirt, it takes the spin off the ball and kind of loses its momentum. With turf, it's more bouncy and doesn't have much resistance,” softball player Madison Wheeler said.
Playing on a new surface will take a lot of adjusting since you're not used to playing on something so fast-paced. There will be many adjustments to be made because it's much different than dirt or grass. The ball movement is going to be a lot quicker and bounce more consistently, which means less time to react to the ball.
“There will be a difference since we play at other schools with turf and we think there's a difference, but we're so used to playing on dirt all the time. I think that the turf will definitely have an effect on most of the players, because we aren't used to it yet,” Wheeler said.
There are so many positives to getting new turf fields, but there will also be some challenges at first. Players will need time to adjust to the way the ball is moving or even just the speed of the game. This change might make it harder to play the same way at first. Over time, what once felt difficult will become normal, improving your speed of the game.
“I think if there's any negative changes, it'll only be that the ball is gonna bounce a little bit more when it comes towards you, and the speed is gonna be right a little bit quicker,” Wheeler said. “Overall the game is going to feel different at first but making the adjustments at practice and working at the techniques will almost feel normal again as we start playing more on the turf and getting used to it,” Wheeler said.
The change of surface will affect players until they become comfortable playing on turf. Turf is a lot more smoother and less bumpy in areas so having a consistent and more leveled field will be very beneficial. It will help sports due to weather cancellations since turf has a drainage system so games can still be on even when it's raining.
“It'll be better drainage, obviously, and there won't be as much standing water or as much water at all. So I think it will really help us, like getting us to play more games,” baseball player Austin Maher said.
The Chelsea community helped raise enough money, making it possible to invest in turf fields that benefit all of CHS athletic programs. By having turf, it will reduce cancellations and improve more playing time. Teams now will expect less weather issues and more opportunities to play games.
“It shows a lot of support for our athletics, because we raised enough money for this and were able to have this opportunity that other schools don't usually get,” soccer player Kayley Bobo said.
