58 replies to this topic

[DBean]

I like the look of the field. I think making the field a different color might have made it too much of an eyesore. This works for me.

[Baltimore Chop]

Didn't Kevin Plank say this was going to be the coolest field in the country?

Apparently, we should have taken him literally here.

The technology going into the field will prevent it from getting super hot on sweltering days.

http://www.baltimore...0,1384647.story

Good work, UM!

[You Play to Win the Game]

While many positives will come from the upgrade, I'm disappointed after the hype of a colored field. It was colored... normal green. Ah well, go Terps!

I share your disappointment. What a let down.

But at least it's much improved over last year.

[Greg Pappas]

I share your disappointment. What a let down.

But at least it's much improved over last year.

Yeah, much improved, with a major recruiting tool being the cooler temperature of the field. If I'm a parent of a recruit, that field offers my son a safety benefit that would not go unnoticed. Kudos to the Terps for this. I'll get over the field color.

[NewMarketSean]

Can you imagine how hot it would be to play on a black field in September? It would be like playing on asphalt.

[Baltimore Chop]

Yeah, much improved, with a major recruiting tool being the cooler temperature of the field. If I'm a parent of a recruit, that field offers my son a safety benefit that would not go unnoticed. Kudos to the Terps for this. I'll get over the field color.

Good call.

Nice to see them actually doing work to the field. I seem to remember them stating they were going to make major changes to the field itself about 3 or 4 years ago, and that got delayed. Glad to see that they are finally finishing that task off.

[Greg Pappas]

Can you imagine how hot it would be to play on a black field in September? It would be like playing on asphalt.

Right, that's why they didn't do it... and I doubt it'll be done anywhere, any time soon.

[Greg Pappas]

Good call.

Nice to see them actually doing work to the field. I seem to remember them stating they were going to make major changes to the field itself about 3 or 4 years ago, and that got delayed. Glad to see that they are finally finishing that task off.

Agreed... and this may be a bigger deal than many realize.

[Baltimore Chop]

Looks like the field is also getting lowered. I'm hoping this improves the sightlines throughout the stadium, as this is LONG overdue.

http://grfx.cstv.com...jpeg?1340232055

[Greg Pappas]

Looks like the field is also getting lowered. I'm hoping this improves the sightlines throughout the stadium, as this is LONG overdue.

http://grfx.cstv.com...jpeg?1340232055

Another quality improvement... love it.

[Greg Pappas]

http://www.washingto... ... _blog.html

This August 18th, the new field is unveiled to the public.

[Baltimore Chop]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/terrapins-insider/post/maryland-footballs-new-high-tech-synthetic-turf-field-to-get-its-public-debut-in-aug-18-scrimmage/2012/06/26/gJQAZhhE5V_blog.html

This August 18th, the new field is unveiled to the public.

That's a fast turnaround. Glad to see they're getting it done this quickly.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Testudo Times: Maryland Completes Instillation of new field
http://www.testudoti...at-byrd-stadium

[mdak06]

A few thoughts ...

It looks a bit funky (as far as "dirty"), but from what I'm told (and I know nothing about this so I'm going by random internet poster's comments) the field will look better after some rain and a few practices or so ... I'm assuming the fill has to settle down a bit.

The colors are really bright, and look really good.

I'm a bit concerned as to how it will look for lacrosse games. I think the football lines are permanent so I'm not sure if they'll just paint lacrosse lines a different color or what.

I'm also curious about the lines being permanent, because for high school games, the hash marks are a different distance apart than they are in college.

I'm certainly glad they're no longer going to have any "mud bowls" like last year's BC game.

[BSLMikeLowe]

As was brought up earlier in this thread, from the photos it now appears that they did not lower the overall field level to eliminate the obstructed views in the front rows. I really don't understand why they didn't take this opportunity to do that....it would seem to me something that could generate extra revenues and pay for itself after a while, since you could then charge regular or even premium prices for seats that are now discounted.

As for the field.....meh. Like the TT article says, it's last season's field with FT instead of grass. I do like that the ridiculously steep crown is gone though. I would imagine the real improvement will be more noticeable to the players than the fans.

[BSLMikeLowe]

A few thoughts ...

It looks a bit funky (as far as "dirty"), but from what I'm told (and I know nothing about this so I'm going by random internet poster's comments) the field will look better after some rain and a few practices or so ... I'm assuming the fill has to settle down a bit.

The colors are really bright, and look really good.

I'm a bit concerned as to how it will look for lacrosse games. I think the football lines are permanent so I'm not sure if they'll just paint lacrosse lines a different color or what.

I'm also curious about the lines being permanent, because for high school games, the hash marks are a different distance apart than they are in college.

I'm certainly glad they're no longer going to have any "mud bowls" like last year's BC game.

No problem for lacrosse, if it's anything similar to M&T which has hosted Final Fours and some early season lax games. Not sure what they'd do for high school games.

[Oriole85]

I read the lines are permanent, did they not have enough time to lower the field, could they do this next offseason? Generally speaking, I don't like non-grass surfaces, but actually like this field(or atleast the design).

[mdak06]

B of B, do they paint over (with green paint) the football lines at M&T for lacrosse? If that's the case, I guess they could do that at Byrd (and also do the same paint-over thing with the college hashmarks for HS football games).

As far as not removing the stuff underneath, perhaps it was too big of a project to complete this time around (too much time and/or money involved). I guess. It certainly would have been nice if they had done that.

[Baltimore Chop]

As was brought up earlier in this thread, from the photos it now appears that they did not lower the overall field level to eliminate the obstructed views in the front rows. I really don't understand why they didn't take this opportunity to do that....it would seem to me something that could generate extra revenues and pay for itself after a while, since you could then charge regular or even premium prices for seats that are now discounted.

As for the field.....meh. Like the TT article says, it's last season's field with FT instead of grass. I do like that the ridiculously steep crown is gone though. I would imagine the real improvement will be more noticeable to the players than the fans.

Yeah, I noticed that as I saw a handful of pictures during construction. Must've been an optical illusion from that profile illustration they had. Really is unfortunate that they didn't do this. I guess they decided it was too expensive and/or would have taken too long to complete.