SB Nation Seattle - Qwest Field Grass Study Commissioned By Sounders, Seahawkshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-04-14T14:46:45-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18731702011-04-14T14:46:45-07:002011-04-14T14:46:45-07:00Seattle Seahawks Fans Leave Open The Possibility Of Grass At Qwest Field
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<p>We’ve heard the Seattle Sounders side of the grass vs. synthetic turf debate as it pertains to Qwest Field, but Seattle’s <span class="caps">MLS</span> side does share the facility with an <span class="caps">NFL</span> team: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. And with the shared use of Qwest Field comes a need for partnership when making major decisions that will impact every tenant that uses the stadium. Choosing the next surface for Qwest Field, whether it be grass or Field Turf, is a complicated decision, and each side brings a different aspect to the debate.</p>
<p>For the Sounders, and soccer as a whole, the type of playing surface plays a key role in the game itself. The ball spends the majority of its time on the pitch during a match and a surface not up to standard can severely impact the play on the field. But it’s different with football, where the surface impacts the play less in a direct manner, but may impact the players.</p>
<p>With that in mind, Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seattle Seahawks blog, took a look at the grass study commissioned by First & Goal, in conjunction with the Seahawks and Sounders. While the list of benefits differs from those the Sounders would see with a grass surface, author Brian L. sees distinct positives and leaves open the possibility of a natural surface at Qwest Field sometime down the line.</p>
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<p>Long-term, however, grass could be a very real possibility and is one that Seahawks fans shouldn’t write off. There are very real benefits to a natural grass surface, and there are some very interesting inroads being made in the area of natural and synthetic hybrids. Studies have shown that the number of injuries on grass surfaces versus turf are roughly the same, the difference are the type of injuries sustained. Turf produces sprains and tears while grass produces more impact injures, think broken bones. <span>Russell Okung</span>’s ankles would probably appreciate a move to grass.</p>
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<p>It’s less about playability and more about injuries, though in the case of the Sounders and Seahawks, a well-maintained surface is a must. With a packed 2011 schedule at Qwest Field — including the Seahawks, Sounders and Washington Huskies — Seahawks fans do have a concern and the ability of a natural surface to hold-up. But it appears Seahawks fans are open to a grass field, should the study show it’s feasible.</p>
<p>For more on the study, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com" target="new">Sounder At Heart</a>, SB Nation’s Sounders blog, and <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com" target="new">Field Gulls</a>, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/4/14/2111745/seattle-seahawks-qwest-field-natural-grass-fieldturfBrian Floyd2011-04-13T19:57:13-07:002011-04-13T19:57:13-07:00Adrian Hanauer Discusses Qwest Field Grass Study
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<p>There are still plenty of questions, but we do know the Seattle Sounders and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> have commissioned a study to see how feasible a natural grass surface would be at Qwest Field. The current Field Turf is nearing the end of its life, with the wear-and-tear of hosting a professional football and soccer team, along with countless other events, taking its toll. Now is as good a time as any to explore the best option going forward, whether it be natural grass or another synthetic turf.</p>
<p>Sounder at Heart’s Jeremiah Oshan was able to get a hold of Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer on Wednesday and the two discussed the study and what may result. The grass study took the headlines, but Hanauer cautioned it doesn’t mean a natural surface is on the way. Instead, the <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/4/13/2109386/adrian-hanauer-grass-qwest-field-installing-sounders" target="new">partnership between the Sounders and Seahawks is the story</a>, he says.</p>
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<p>“A lot of variables will go into it,” Hanauer said of the study. “The ultimate conclusion may be to just keep doing what we’re doing. But the story is that we’re all (the Sounders, Seahawks and First & Goal, which operates Qwest) communicating and it’s a good time to revisit it. Technology has changed for grass and synthetic and maybe there’s something out there that we’re not aware of.”</p>
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<p>While we don’t yet know what the study will find, the teams, along with First & Goal, are doing their homework while exploring every available option. It’s a process, but by taking a thorough approach, the Seahawks and Sounders can best evaluate which option will suit the needs of the Qwest Field tenants as a whole.</p>
<p>For more on the Sounders, visit <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com" target="new">Sounder at Heart</a>. Be sure to read the rest of the <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/4/13/2109386/adrian-hanauer-grass-qwest-field-installing-sounders" target="new">interview with Adrian Hanauer</a>, as well.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/4/13/2110091/adrian-hanauer-interview-qwest-field-grass-study-seattle-soundersBrian Floyd2011-04-13T13:03:29-07:002011-04-13T13:03:29-07:00Qwest Field Grass Study Commissioned By Sounders, Seahawks
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<p>The current Field Turf surface at Qwest Field hasn't been holding up well and the Seattle Sounders and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are ready to make a change. What change could be involved is unknown, but the two sides, along with First and Goal, operator of Qwest Field, have commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of a grass surface at the Seattle stadium. The grass vs. artificial turf debate has raged on since the Sounders joined Major League Soccer and began playing at Qwest Field, but the prevailing sentiment has been a natural surface would have difficulty maintaining its playability in a shared complex between football teams and soccer teams while dealing with the Seattle weather.</p>
<p><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2014756247_sounders13.html" target="_blank">Seattle Times beat reporter Joshua Mayers</a> talked to plenty of Sounders players and general manager Adrian Hanauer about the turf, and it appears a change is on the horizon.</p>
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<p>"I would be surprised if we're playing on the same turf next year," said Hanauer, who claimed "timing and logistics" prevented a new installation before this season.</p>
<p>According to MLS director of communications Will Kuhns, Qwest Field currently "does meet current MLS standards for match play" and the league is "satisfied" with how the turf plays.</p>
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<p>It may just be another incarnation of Field Turf, but it's clear the current surface is nearing the end of its life-span. With a change nearing, the grass vs. artificial debate will surely ramp up in the coming months as the Seahawks and Sounders weight the options for Qwest Field.</p>
<p>For more on the study, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com" target="_blank">Sounder At Heart</a>, SB Nation's Sounders blog, and <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com" target="_blank">Field Gulls</a>, SB Nation's Seahawks blog.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/4/13/2333421/qwest-field-grass-study-commissioned-by-sounders-seahawksBrian Floyd