New Turf Field Causes Injuries To PEA Teams

Over this past school year, the Hatch Turf Field, located behind Phelps Stadium, has caused numerous injuries for athletes. It was named after 40-year Latin instructor and lacrosse coach Norman Hatch. The synthetic turf was originally discussed by the Academy’s trustees in May of 2011 as a priority development project for the school, and after collecting sufficient funds, was installed over the summer and finished during the first week of fall preseason tryouts. The turf was believed to be a positive investment, as synthetic turfs generally reduce injuries on the field. However, students have had mixed reactions.

The prospect of a new field initially appealed to many athletes. Senior and varsity lacrosse captain Bronwyn Shields was “truly grateful for the opportunity to play on such a great surface.” However, because the field is brand new, the surface has not been broken in. “Lacrosse is a generally fast game, but because the field is quite hard, quick cuts might result in graceful falls,” Shields said.

“If we had played soccer on that turf instead, we would’ve been more injury prone because it’s bad on your joints because you’re running so much and bending on your knees and such.”

Lower and lacrosse player Louisa Bartkovich described the texture of the turf as prickly. Unlike the standard black turf beads, the concrete-like base caused more injury to athletes when they fall. “I have gotten my fair share of turf burns over the years but the worst ones are made on the new turf,” she said.

Prep Catherine Griffin believed that the Hatch Turf made playing better for field hockey because of its sand base. However, Griffin preferred the stadium turf for sports such as lacrosse. “The turf in the stadium is better for sports like lacrosse but the new turf is not necessarily bad,” Griffin said. Griffin was concerned with the new turf’s low traction, citing the short grass as one of the factors. “You can’t get enough traction even when you’re wearing turf shoes,” said Griffin.

Senior Matthew Asante had only been on the turf a few times, but immediately noticed a problem when he played soccer on it. The turf is very hard because of the concrete base that lies under it, and Asante believed that continuous use of it could lead to joint problems.

“If we had played soccer on that turf instead, we would’ve been more injury prone because it’s bad on your joints because you’re running so much and bending on your knees and such,” Asante said.

He went on to stress the severity that this could lead to. “The stadium turf, which is pretty well cushioned, is already worse off for your joints than grass. This new turf isn’t, so it would be really detrimental for your joints,” Asante said.