Turf fields

[AGibbsGirl]

So my kid's HS just got this gorgeous new turf field
MHS (http://middletownmdfootball.com/index.php?pr=MHS_Stadium) but we've already had a huge injury because of it.

Friday night the JV team was scrimmaging another team and one of our kids was taken down in a horse collar. His foot planted and because it didn't slip (like it would have on the grass) he broke his leg in 3 places, broke the ankle, tore the tendons that held his ankle together (yuck, I saw pictures!) and shattered his growth plate. He had emergency surgery and is still in the hospital with rods in his leg. The rumor is that he will never play football again, if anything at all.

So the Q is: What should I know about turf fields?

Because my kid plays both sides of the ball and will be out on it a lot...for once in my life I am nervous about Jake playing football....
PS: The boys have played on turf fields during Rugby and I've seen injuries. Michael actually got a "burn" that refused to heal for months...but that was the worst I've seen until Friday.

[redskin_rich]

My biggest problem with the turf fields is the heat they reflect. The modern "realturf" fields seem to be almost as slippery and more spongy than damp grass but they sure do raise the temperature.
There probably is more of a tack issue and for that reason, wearing shorter and narrower spiked cleats, might be a better option.

Bottom line though, is that injuries can happen anywhere anytime to anybody. Everyone else plays on the same field.