(CARSON, California) - The AstroTurf field that many have called the best synthetic turf field ever, has completed its run at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.
The field, which marks the first time a field was installed on AstroBase, was installed in December and has hosted the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the California Interscholastic Federation State Football Championship Bowl games, international soccer matches, and practices for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. The Home Depot Center is home to the L.A. Galaxy of the MLS and must play their games on natural grass, so the field has been removed and is up for sale.
The field is approximately 81,900 square feet and the AstroBase system consists of nearly 15,000 interlocking base panels. The panels are structural and provide all the benefits of a shock pad and drainage system.
The field surface is the all-new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 Extreme. The field combines a monofilament Horseshoe fiber with a slit film product. The Horseshoe fiber has an Omega-shape, which is more resilient and bounces back, staying upright longer. It also reflects less light and heat. The slit film offers the ultimate in durability.
The field has a face weight of 60 ounces of fiber per square yard, the highest in the industry. This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.
In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems perform most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. A study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems looked and performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, also making it the safest option.
The field features AstroFlect heat reduction technology, which can lower surface temperatures by as much as 18%.
The field also has RootZone, a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface. The AstroTurf infill is a manufacturer’s blend of silica sand and ambient rubber.
Hundreds of coaches, players, synthetic turf industry professionals, architects, and construction managers had the opportunity to see, inspect, and play on the field. Most said it was the best synthetic playing field that they had ever seen.
Here’s what a number of them had to say about the field:
TOM FLORES – OAKLAND RAIDERS
Flores was most impressed with the fact that with this field, games are decided on the field and not by the field.
“I think the biggest impression has been that there has been no impression. I’ve asked individual players and they’ve all said it’s great. They’ve never experienced playing on turf like this and they’ve all played on some kind of artificial surface.”
In comparing this AstroTurf field to other synthetic turf fields, Flores said, “It’s not even close.”
DICK VERMEIL – RAMS, CHIEFS, EAGLES
“I’ve been very impressed. I haven’t seen one football player slip and that’s impressive in itself. The surface seems to be very close to a natural grass field. The players have been very positive about it, as well.”
DARRELL GREEN – DB – HOF – WASHINGTON REDSKINS
“AstroTurf is more than just a word. It’s more than just a field to play on. Our kids can feel good about the fact that a lot has gone into developing this surface. This is something that’s been well thought through. It has technology behind it. It gives the kids a chance to come out there and be wide open and have fun, yet a greater chance to walk off the field on two feet. It’s important, particularly for a player like me, who played 20 years in some tough conditions throughout the league, to see now that the technology has surpassed what I’ve ever known and the results are there. I think the NFLPA and AstroTurf have done something special here.”
WILL SHIELDS – OL - CHIEFS“I think it’s really cool. It’s a fast turf.”
Shields also discussed safety and other issues, and said, “Safety affects a lot, for the simple fact you can stop worrying about your knees and joints and everything else. It’s nice to know AstroTurf is working to make it even better for players. It also makes upkeep a lot easier and there’s no worrying about emissions. Teams are very fortunate to be able to put this kind of surface in.”
RAY CROCKETT – DB - BRONCOS“Actually, it’s outstanding! I wish I would have been able to play another three or four years on a surface like this, I might have gotten 18 years in.”
Regarding the safety of the field and a pro career, Crockett said, “What you play on saves your life. On this field, you feel secure.”
JACORY HARRIS – QB – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
“This new AstroTurf surface is unreal! It’s better than regular turf. You can plant, you can cut, you can do whatever you want on this surface. It’s been great for us. The field is just amazing and it definitely helps with performance and safety.”
DELANO HARRIS – LB – BOWIE STATE“It’s smooth, it’s balanced, and the cuts are great. You become very explosive and that’s important, especially for a linebacker. It’s really important. I know the scouts are checking on cuts and to see how explosive you are. With this field it’s just a blessing because it gives you a chance to pick up your speed when you might not be as fast as the next guy. You’ll never be able to tell on a field like this, a surface like this. It’s been a blessing to have AstroTurf as a part of this.”
EDDIE WHITLEY – WR – VIRGINIA TECH“It’s something else. Your cuts are great and you don’t have to worry about impact on the ground. It feels like I can go out there and just have fun. I can just go all out and have a good time.”
DA’JON MCKNIGHT – WR – UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
“It’s smooth, fast, and easy to cut.”
JASON BARNES – WR – UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
“The AstroTurf feels great. It’s great for receivers making cuts and getting in and out of cuts.”
MARK SERVE – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR – SIERRA CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
“The field was absolutely amazing. My receivers were making cuts that we’re normally not able to make on grass. We prefer AstroTurf because we’re a fast team. That field allows for a fast track. It plays to a team that has speed, which is what we have, so we took advantage of it.”
MAX TUERK – OL – SANTA MARGARITA HIGH SCHOOL
“It was the greatest game of my life. The AstroTurf was amazing. I usually slip, but I never slipped. That stuff has so much traction in it.”
JOHNNY STANTON – QB – SANTA MARGARITA HIGH SCHOOL“It’s one of the best fields I’ve ever played on. I didn’t even think about it the whole game. When you don’t have to think about it, you know you’ve done your job.”
MICHAEL HUTCHINGS – WR – DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL“It was a lot better. It was a lot more relaxing. It was a fast surface out there. It’s a little different than our turf at our school. It felt a little more grassy-feeling and I liked playing on it. It was a fast surface and allowed us to perform well.”
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