Artificial Turf

Artificial turf hurts yet another professional athlete's career. Troy Glaus' season-ending injury occurred while diving on Minnesota's new artificial turf. When will Major League Baseball and the NFL outlaw artificial turf? When will professional athletes refuse to play on artificial turf? Where is the baseball players' union? Jerry Mazenko Garden Grove

In Southern California, where Mother Nature has long received technological enhancements, the newest fake to take root is one that doesn't, literally, take root. It is artificial turf, the stuff famously mocked decades ago by Philadelphia Phillie baseball player Richie Allen, who said: "If a horse won't eat it, I don't want to play on it."

It took the Astrodome, an air-conditioned refuge from the brutal Texas heat, to create the need for AstroTurf, an artificial grass that could survive an artificial environment. But 37 years after its professional sports debut, the ersatz turf has reached its end. Southwest Recreational Industries Inc., the Texas company that made AstroTurf, last week filed for bankruptcy to go out of business -- citing over-expansion and a shrinking market for nylon lawns.

Welcome to suburbia -- at least Orange County's version of it -- where the grass is lush and green and, well, fake. Anaheim, along with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, is test-driving synthetic lawns as a way to conserve water. If it works, residents who install the faux grass may soon be eligible to receive rebates, similar to those offered for low-flow toilets and water-efficient washing machines.

The Angels ought to contribute a few bucks toward the Minnesota Twins' drive for a new ballpark, one with grass and a view of the heavens. They can't tear down the Metrodome soon enough for the Angels, who lost a game Saturday because of a freak bounce on artificial turf and almost lost their center fielder because some genius decided the color of the roof ought to be the same color as a baseball. This is not to detract from the abilities of the Twins, leaders of the American League Central.

The turf at the Vet was playable. The quality of the end zone surface was a mystery--until the final minute. Seventeen days after Philadelphia's exhibition game was canceled because of problems with the artificial turf at Veterans Stadium, the Eagles defeated the New York Jets, 13-12, Thursday night at Philadelphia. A.J. Feeley's 16-yard touchdown pass to Sean Scott with 23 seconds left lifted the Eagles (2-1) to their second consecutive victory.

Philadelphia Eagle Coach Andy Reid pronounced the artificial turf at Veterans Stadium fit for play after a short practice session Wednesday. "The field's ready," Reid said after his players spent about an hour jogging and kicking on the NeXturf carpet. "I think the city has gone to great lengths to get this facility ready to play. The responses of the players has been positive."

Players always have said the turf at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia feels like asphalt. So it should come as no surprise the city is turning to asphalt to try to solve drainage problems that forced the cancellation of the Eagles' exhibition opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 13. "I wouldn't call it a permanent solution just yet, but we are going to try something out in practice that may lead to a more viable long-run fix," city Managing Director Joe Martz said.

The days of playing soccer and other sports on real grass may be numbered in Laguna Niguel if city officials are pleased with a Mother Nature knockoff they plan to install at two new parks this year. Instead of planting the real thing, the city will be installing synthetic turf at La Paz Park and Alicia Skate and Soccer Park, which will have lighted playing fields for soccer and baseball. But it won't be your father's AstroTurf.

The artificial turf at Veterans Stadium struck again. Donovan McNabb threw for 207 yards and one touchdown Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles held on to beat Chicago, 13-9, after the Bears' Cade McNown separated his throwing shoulder. Jim Miller's desperation pass fell incomplete as time expired as Chicago fell to 1-7, its worst start since 1997.