Scott Rolen for Troy Glaus (Update: Finalized!)

[Michael]

In my opinion, the "switch to grass improves foot health" is based on outdated information. I don't think sportswriters have come to grips that an artificial surface is no longer the "painted asphalt" Astroturf of the past.

I was lucky enough to go to Old Busch for fan appreciation day in 1994, where they let all fans roam around anywhere on the field they pleased (including running the bases). I remember walking around on the old Astroturf there, and it was like a carpeted basement. About a half inch, tightly wound pile on top of a solid, concrete surface.

Field turf is nothing like that nowadays, but sportswriters still remember the foot/knee/ankle problems caused by all those artificial surfaces, and they haven't quite caught up yet. It's the same as the HOF voters still using batting average, wins, and ERA as definitions of success.

This is my guess as well.

[ghostrunner]

I just looked at page 1 and felt a twinge of nostalgia.

[EastonBlues22]

I just looked at page 1 and felt a twinge of nostalgia.

I was the third view, and as I was clicking the button I told my gf this thread was going to be a monster.

I've been posting in it all weekend, and she's pretty darn pissed about it. Luckily, she's at work right now...

[planet planet]

Easton, for some reason I had to sig you.

[jim]

I just caught up on the rest of the discussion about surfaces.

Running on hard, repetitive surfaces stresses your feet, ligaments, shins, etc. as the repetitive stresses cause wear and tear. The impact on joints is minimized because the body knows how to brace itself appropriately for the impact before it occurs.

Running on softer, uneven surfaces eases the stresses on the areas mentioned above because there is a lack of repition and pure force of impact is minimized somewhat...however, it places more stress on your joints (you knees and ankles specifically) as your body is unable to prepare itself (balance-wise, etc.) for a landing and thus absorb the stresses evenly across a balanced and ready structure. You hit and then the joints absorb the stresses randomly/unevenly as your body reacts to the impact to maintain balance and posture. This repeats over and over, placing repeated and uneven stresses on the joints, which can lead to injury in that area.

Having dealt with Plantar fasciitis in both feet for years I seriously doubt that playing on turf versus grass is going to make a big difference. Once it's inflamed and aggravated, it's not going to make a huge difference.

I'm guessing he's wearing custom orthotics in his shoes. They basically take a plaster mold of your foot and create a hard shelled insert that you put in your shoes. Add to it some really good shoes that absorb the shock, and I seriously doubt that playing on plain concrete would really make it much better or worse.

Once it's inflamed and aggravated, you could walk through a soft grass field in an Alpine prarie eating wild Strawberries while holding your lovers hand and it will still hurt like a son of a [expletive].

[EastonBlues22]

Easton, for some reason I had to sig you.

I'm flattered that you're amused by a boy who likes to get dirty, but who can only afford contact with cheap low-grade dirt. It gives me hope for the future.

[EastonBlues22]

I just caught up on the rest of the discussion about surfaces.

Running on hard, repetitive surfaces stresses your feet, ligaments, shins, etc. as the repetitive stresses cause wear and tear. The impact on joints is minimized because the body knows how to brace itself appropriately for the impact before it occurs.

Running on softer, uneven surfaces eases the stresses on the areas mentioned above because there is a lack of repition and pure force of impact is minimized somewhat...however, it places more stress on your joints (you knees and ankles specifically) as your body is unable to prepare itself (balance-wise, etc.) for a landing and thus absorb the stresses evenly across a balanced and ready structure. You hit and then the joints absorb the stresses randomly/unevenly as your body reacts to the impact to maintain balance and posture. This repeats over and over, placing repeated and uneven stresses on the joints, which can lead to injury in that area.

Having dealt with Plantar fasciitis in both feet for years I seriously doubt that playing on turf versus grass is going to make a big difference. Once it's inflamed and aggravated, it's not going to make a huge difference.

I'm guessing he's wearing custom orthotics in his shoes. They basically take a plaster mold of your foot and create a hard shelled insert that you put in your shoes. Add to it some really good shoes that absorb the shock, and I seriously doubt that playing on plain concrete would really make it much better or worse.

Once it's inflamed and aggravated, you could walk through a soft grass field in an Alpine prarie eating wild Strawberries while holding your lovers hand and it will still hurt like a son of a [expletive].

I agree with you 100%...I'm not an optimist about the future health of his feet.

[doe_boy]

Once it's inflamed and aggravated, you could walk through a soft grass field in an Alpine prarie eating wild Strawberries while holding your lovers hand and it will still hurt like a son of a [expletive].

This thread's launched a few sigs, among other things.

[planet planet]

Once it's inflamed and aggravated, you could walk through a soft grass field in an Alpine prarie eating wild Strawberries while holding your lovers hand and it will still hurt like a son of a [expletive].

This thread's launched a few sigs, among other things.

Hey, i resemble that remark.

[Popeye_Card]

Easton, for some reason I had to sig you.

On this topic, I heard once that all MLB infields are made out of the same dirt, and this dirt comes from Valmeyer, IL. Has anyone else ever heard this?