State Tournament Field Conditions

[PJM]

I just wanted to temper expectations about field conditions currently at Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro. The fields are in poor condition. Currently all the fields that state tournament games are usually played on are about 50% brown and have little chance, I'm told, of filling in before the games. I hope I am wrong. I'm sure there are many reasons why the fields are in poor shape, but I will not speak to these reasons because I am no expert.

 

I have been told that the fields will be closed in June for major renovations, but this will not help this year's tournament.

[MountainTroll]

Bermuda had a bad 'winter kill' this year, but everyday, I see new green sprouts where I thought I wouldn't.  Needs water everyday right now.

[RonMexico3]

Thanks for the info PJM. If this is the case then TSSAA needs to do the right thing and move the games to suitable fields in the area. I've seen many green fields in the middle TN area. The top games in the state should have a decent pitch to play on

[ViewFromCheapSeats]

Yeah. Winter kill struck nearly all of the bermuda surfaces in Murfreesboro. Football, baseball, softball, soccer, golf: If the surface was bermuda grass, it's mostly dead now. After Spring Fling and TSSA State Cup, the city is going to spend a LOT of money sprigging the fields for next season. They will also probably look at a different variety of bermuda since this one clearly didn't tolerate the cold as well as other varieties.

 

As to moving the games somewhere else, where would you suggest? All of the local HS stadiums suffered the same fate. The MSC pitch itself isn't too bad. It is consistent: smooth & fast. It actually favors quality passing attacks. It just looks ugly.

[ViewFromCheapSeats]

Check out @kreager on Twitter for his May 8 picture of the stadium field.

[davidlimbaugh]

Check out @kreager on Twitter for his May 8 picture of the stadium field.

 

The DNJ also has a photo gallery from the Riverdale win over Blackman in the District Final

 

http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D4&Dato=20140509&Kategori=PHOTOGALLERIES06&Lopenr=305090022&Ref=PH

 

Yes, the Bermuda ls late coming in and the rye died early so bad time of year for ball fields and grass. This week's upper 80s and rain may help some. 

 

Another factor is the pressure our local fields get from high school, middle school, rec leagues, practice, and other events. 

 

Fulton County, Georgia and several other locales have gone to turf fields because they save in the long run on maintenance and if you are in drought conditions they don't require near as much water

[RonMexico3]

^{Those fields look horrible.  That'll be a shame  if those boys bust their butts all year to get to their goal and have to play on such a horrible pitch.  Again, there are plenty of fields in the Middle TN that are green and very playable.}

 

[ViewFromCheapSeats]

^{Those fields look horrible.  That'll be a shame  if those boys bust their butts all year to get to their goal and have to play on such a horrible pitch.  Again, there are plenty of fields in the Middle TN that are green and very playable.}

 

The fields LOOK far worse than they play. It isn't dirt; it is dead bermuda. So the footing is still firm. And as you can see in the pictures, passes can be delivered with laser-like precision because the surface is smooth and free of any clumping.

 

I'm not sure where you would have the games played. While some fields may be "greener", it is unlikely they would be a better surface. And where would you find FOUR fields in close proximity?

 

Again, the main "problem" is that the fields LOOK bad. I seriously doubt any of the players who busted their butts all year will really even care.

[PJM]

I was told the fields in Brentwood are also similar to the fields at Siegel Soccer Complex. I would affirm ViewFromCheapSeats opinion that the fields are largely smooth and will lead to a fast soccer game.

 

The championship field is in better shape than the non-championship fields. Some areas in the non-championship fields are dirt, and not Bermuda. My teams have played on them all Spring.

 

I hope the SpringFling stays here in Murfreesboro. It is one of my favorite weeks of the year, as I get to watch good soccer all week. Hopefully the fields will improve some in the next 9 days and the improvement made over the summer will pay off long term.

Edited May 12, 2014 by PJM

[ViewFromCheapSeats]

Per Tom @Kreager with the Daily News Journal, TSSAA is looking at options of moving the games.

 

Cold winter may force TSSAA to move Spring Fling soccer venue

[RonMexico3]

If the fields are in bad shape, I hope the TSSAA makes the right call and move the games to suitable fields.  You don't have to have 4 fields together.

[ViewFromCheapSeats]

If the fields are in bad shape, I hope the TSSAA makes the right call and move the games to suitable fields.  You don't have to have 4 fields together.

 

For clarification: What makes a field "UN"suitable?