Published: April 21, 2008 12:33 pm            

Field of dreams, injury-free ones

Keeping playing fields in good condition a safety issue

Maintaining the playing surface of a high school football field is more than just good looks.

It’s a safety issue.

“It’s important for our players that they have something nice to fall on,’’ said Chisholm High School coach Dan Maly. “A good playing surface helps prevent injuries.’’

Enid High School coach Tommy Parker said keeping a natural playing surface like the one at D. Bruce Selby Stadium in good condition is a priority.

“If your turf is in disrepair, that can be a problem,’’ said Parker. “You have to have the ability to get water on the field. If your field is hard, that’s where you see concussions. It’s very important to have a good irrigation system. Getting enough water on the field helps with its durability. If you can’t get enough water on it, you’re basically playing on compacted clay.’’

Maly estimates he and his coaching staff spend about four hours before each varsity and junior varsity home game marking the field.

“We don’t have big staffs,’’ he said. “We have to do a lot of the work ourselves, and we get help from the boosters, too.’’

Oklahoma Bible Academy athletic director Mark Shuck said last summer’s installation of an in-ground irrigation system and the re-sodding of Commitment Field have been a benefit to the program.

“The field looks sharp,’’ he said. “You always want to put your best foot forward.’’

Like most schools, Shuck said the football program gets plenty of help from volunteers, coaches and the school’s groundskeeper.

“Keeping the field in good condition is high maintenance,’’ said Shuck. “But it’s worth the effort.’’

“The kids take pride in the field looking good,’’ said Maly. “And the fans appreciate a good-looking field, too. But the No. 1 reason for having a good field is to have a good surface for the kids to play on.’’

Many schools, particularly at the larger school level, have installed artificial playing surfaces, which greatly reduces the work required to maintain it.

“I think the (artificial) turf is great,’’ said Maly. “We’d like to have it. But we don’t get the traffic on the field like big schools like Enid does. But turf is the way to go if you can get it. It’s not a luxury.’’

At schools like Enid, the football field is shared by a number of teams, bands and cheer squads.

That kind of activity on the field can put stress on the natural playing surface.

Shuck said he would like to get an artificial surface installed along each of the sidelines.