Steve A. posted:2019Dad posted:Steve A. posted:Backpick25 posted:My 2018 had been looking toward his first PG event, a chance to go up against some great competition from across the country. He performed as well as he could, given the unusual circumstances.
He hit a couple bombs at HS fields in the middle of nowhere, met a fellow commit and future battery mate......... drummroll...... got to pitch at LP, velo was down a bit, complained about the mound and his footing as the turf kept moving around. He eventually done a front flip as the turf came unraveled, game was stopped until a repair was made. He sustained a bruised knee and a pulled muscle in the tumble.
Pitching at LP only solidified his decision in committing to a program that has dirt/grass......he hates playing on turf!
My intention is not to pile on, but one's perspective and where they come from can be the difference in what is perceived normal or extreme circumstances. The WWBA is a memory now....................good, bad, indifferent, he's already looking toward his next opportunity to play the game.
We were just there for the 14U WWBA last week. The turf mounds were awful. There was a 3" hole right in the center of the rubber where if you are a RH pitcher & you throw from 3B side of rubber, your heel would literally be 3" below your toe. You cant fill it in or adjust it as all you have are the little rubber pellets & they don't pack. Everyone must then throw from the middle of the rubber. In addition, the landing spot is one common area with a large indentation. If your stride does not fit here, hang with em because you cant dig one out or repack a spot. so you land with an awkward plant on uneven ground if your stride is not common. In short, it was a disaster, unsafe, unprofessional & extremely disappointing given the $$ spent to play there. Add some moisture & it is gas on the fire. Some of our guys seemed to be OK dealing with it & several really struggled & were simply not themselves.
Wow, that sounds bad & some emergency repairs are needed.
On day 5 they finally cut out about a 6 X 8 section of carpet including the whole area & replaced. This was then decent but with most all using molded cleats, it quickly degenerates into ruts at the rubber & landing. I asked the grounds guys how long it takes them to replace the section & they told me about 2 Hrs or so. My opinion is they should go with real dirt mounds & let the rest roll. You will have to pack them in between games but they still are out there sweeping the dipping dot rubber pellets into the ruts anyway so no harm & a vastly better surface to compete on. Not even a debate really.
I just have this idea by me in Chicagoland. 4 fields. Turf with real monds, and maybe real batters boxes. The turf is so we can play afeter rain. Too many fields are done for the day after a light rain. I think you would pack the place between early high school games and all summer.