Turns out field turf notion is down to earth

In the not-too-distant future, area high school football games only a mudder would love will be a thing of the past.

And that's good news for mothers who can produce a laundry list of reasons in favor of games played on field turf.

Barrington became the first Mid-Suburban League team to unveil the new playing surface last Friday in its glittering new stadium. Fremd and Schaumburg are expected to be playing home games on the turf by the end of the season.

And by next season the entire MSL West will be playing games on field turf when it's installed at Palatine, Conant and Hoffman Estates.

"I think it's great," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez, whose team had also played games on field turf at Libertyville and Wheaton Warrenville South. "Obviously I'm in favor of natural grass, but unfortunately in this day and age with as many sports in the stadium, it's not possible to be able to maintain it the way it's used."

Fremd coach Mike Donatucci sees only benefits to the switch from grass to turf.

"The thing is the consistency of the playing field," said Donatucci, whose teams opened on Lake Zurich's turf the last two seasons. "It's nice to go out and practice on a consistent field.

"When it's game-time and it's raining, big deal."

It will be a huge deal for Fremd, which is arguably the most landlocked school for available field space in the MSL. One of the reasons it moved last year's opener to Lake Zurich was the fear of its field being trashed for the entire season after heavy rains.

That won't be a concern any longer as practices can be held in the stadium and under the lights. Freshman games long relegated to back and side fields can be played on varsity fields.

"I think it's a positive thing for kids," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling.

"It's not like the old AstroTurf days where everybody is getting hurt and blowing out knees," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. "I think its time has come."

But there is some disappointment of a time that may soon be gone at most schools in this area. With all five District 211 schools installing field turf, it's likely only a matter of time before the six District 214 in the MSL East follow suit.

There won't be any more photogenic moments from muck-filled messes.

A battle of 7-0 teams in 2001 between Buffalo Grove and Tommy Zbikowski and state-title bound Prospect played in a monsoon.

Teddy Schell's long, last-minute romp through the mud that led Barrington to a dramatic second-round playoff win over defending state champion Downers Grove North in 2005.

Watching Rich Springer run for a Wheeling single-game record 241 yards that still stands.

"Those are great memories and I'll miss that," Sanchez said.

Anyone doing a football player's laundry will not.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com