Astroturf project completed

By Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:06 PM MDT


Roughly 48 hours after crews from Synthetic Turf Services completed installation of the Astroturf at Armando DeLucas Stadium the Douglas Bulldog football team practiced on the new field for the first time.


(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Some players were apprehensive prior to Friday’s practice and others complained about the heat radiating off the field but Ron Ellsworth, Douglas’ assistant football coach as well as the strength and conditioning said after practice a lot of the Bulldog players are starting to realize the new turf may not be as bad as they had first feared and the heat came from the fact it was just a hot and humid day.

Coach Ellsworth said Douglas’ Athletic Trainer Mitch Nelson did a temperature reading on both the practice field and the new field and the result was the same.

“It’s just going to take some getting used to,” Douglas’ head football coach Dick Keith said. “We have a real nice facility here.”

The coach said some of the players were slipping and initially he was told a special kind of cleat was not required but he was going to give it a few days and see what happens as the Bulldogs practice on the new field several more times prior to the season opener with Bisbee Aug. 27.

Ellsworth took some time prior to Friday’s practice to actually get on the new turf and run some routes hoping to get a feel for the new surface.

“It’s going to be a benefit to our team because it is a fast surface,” he said. “The players will be able to get some good traction when they run their routes.”

The coach added the defensive backs and receivers will also be able to make good plants and cuts.

Team captain Hunter Long said this new surface is a big improvement from what was there before.

“We had a good field but we had clumps of grass here and there and you had to be careful where you stepped,” he said. “This is a clean, level surface.”

The Bulldogs practiced on the new field Friday afternoon and again Saturday morning.

In between there was a decent rain storm Friday night.

Ellsworth said when the team practiced Saturday morning the field was dry and drained the way it was supposed to.

With the old field they Dogs would have had puddles and slick surfaces to deal with.

After week one of practice Coach Keith said the offense looks fairly good but he’s concerned about replacing that good offensive line the Dogs had last year.

“The kids are working hard,” he said. “We’ve done some limited contact this week. We definitely got some kids that like to hit.”

Last years playoff success has fueled a hunger in the returning players as they strive to duplicate that effort with a second straight run at post season.

“That’s a good attitude to have,” the coach said. “Those incoming juniors that didn’t get to play with us last year; I’m hoping our leaders like Hunter (Long), Joseph (Sandoval), AJ (Acosta) and Jason (Sanez) will take them and show them what kind of attitude they need to develop to be winners.”

The Bulldogs will have an open scrimmage with Buena Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at Armando DeLucas Stadium.

Because it is a scrimmage certain A.I.A. rules must be adhered to.

Coach Keith said knowing Bisbee, Douglas’ season opening opponent eight days later, will be in the stands watching, he will keep things pretty basic and try not to reveal too much.

There is no charge to attend the scrimmage.

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    community member wrote on Aug 24, 2010 11:02 PM:

    " The new football field is nice, but seriously you need to do something about the gym. Try walking in there, the heat is horrible! Where are the priorities. The gym is used on a daily basis and by the entire community! "

    How about the Gym wrote on Aug 23, 2010 6:58 PM:

    " Instead of Baseball, how about the gym?? Needs a/c, new PA and much much more. "

    DHS BULLDOG wrote on Aug 19, 2010 1:19 PM:

    " as a member of the DeLucas family, I think you are wrong! "

    xx1 wrote on Aug 19, 2010 1:06 PM:

    " As a member of the DELucas family, I say you are wrong! "

    xx wrote on Aug 19, 2010 1:04 PM:

    " as a member of the DeLucas family, you are so wrong!- "

    Lery wrote on Aug 18, 2010 4:45 PM:

    " Turf looks great, now lets get the baseball stadium the makeover it deserves. "

    Crusher Acosta wrote on Aug 16, 2010 7:50 PM:

    " The field looks awesome.....Living in Oregon and the amount of rainfall we get during the year, most football/soccer/baseball fields use the synthetic surface which allows play in any condition. Hope the athletes and community appreciate what they have for years to come....... "

    Last years player wrote on Aug 13, 2010 12:45 AM:

    " the field looks great, but i really wish last year's team couldve played in it. i propose for the field to be named ellsworth field, due to the fact that he was the one that worked hard like a real head coach would. good luck boys, youre all gonna need it. "

    xxxray wrote on Aug 12, 2010 12:00 PM:

    " Looks great. Flying in from Los Angeles for the game. GO DAWGS! "

    Joe F. wrote on Aug 12, 2010 8:50 AM:

    " Time to change the name of the field. DeLucas never deserved the honor. "

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