As I walk into the RC for what is always a great event, I notice something strikingly different about the field. It's a green like I haven't remembered in the past. I then come to ask some of my friendly scribes what looks different, and they remind me that the field has gone through a resurfacing. Out with the old "artificial blades of grass" (FieldTurf), as Jerry Howarth used to call them on the radio broadcasts, and in with the new AstroTurf. This is not the same old rug that used to blanket the concrete slabs down at Exhibition Stadium, or the bouncy carpet that we remember from the SkyDome. This is a brand new material that looks more similar to real grass.
Very sceptical of a new surface, I had to go try it out myself. Sure enough, the new AstroTurf has a much stronger resemblance to real grass. The footing felt much more secure than the previous FielfTurf, and it didn't quite seem so soft. Players and coaches alike are always leery of a soft surface, because it can promote hamstring and leg problems. Not wonder then that Cito Gaston has decided not to start Aaron Hill on the home turf until his hammy is good and ready. Even though the Jays have installed the AstroTurf on their half-diamond in Dunedin, a player needs to get the feel of the turf under him before playing. You don't want to see your 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year and Silver Slugger spend any prolonged time in the training room than he has too. Better to error on the side of caution.
You'll notice when you're at the RC that the turf now is rolled out in long strips, compared to the multiple pallets that the old turf used to be carted in and out on. Seems the Jays and people at Rogers wanted the ability to cut the conversion rate in half the time it used to. That will allow them to add more concerts and events outside of baseball and football. Hard to believe, but the Jays and the Tampa Rays are the only 2 teams left in Major League Baseball to have turf fields. The difference is that Tampa's turf is permanent, and covered for each event outside of baseball, whereas the Jays choose to rip-and-replace each time. This saves wear and tear on the field, but it also causes there to become dead spots and patches of inconsistency in the playing surface. The Jays had at least 2, possibly 3 more years left on the old carpet, but the players complained about the lack of consistency and sure enough the FieldTurf was booted after only 5 years in existence.
The real test comes down to asking the players what their thoughts are. I spotted Travis Snider and asked him what he thought of the new brand of fake-stuff at the RC. He stated very clearly that the new turf has a bounce about it that the old one didn't. Even with balls hit to the outfield, they can tend to pick up pace with over spin, whereas the old turf usually kept the ball down and very predictable.
Time will tell how the players like the new AstroTurf. They will need to spend plenty of time finding out just how it reacts to certain hard-hit balls, bloopers, and high-choppers. every surface has it's nuances, ones that you want to make your own. Brian Butterfield the Jays' infield instructor and 3rd base coach told me that he always would play a mind-game with the opposition when they came into town. Brian would make sure that he mentioned to the opposing team's shortstop and 3rdbaseman how there tended to be a dead-spot in between those two spots on the diamond. Whether there was or not, baseball coaches, managers and players are always looking to get the mental edge on the opponent.
Early read; Jays like the new turf, up 6-5 in the 6th. Except for Edwin Encarnacion... E5 on a slow roller down the 3rd base line.. .ball hopped up on him after leaving he dirt cut-out and hitting the AstroTurf. These are the subtleties an infielder needs to recognize and adapt with a new surface under his cleats.