Artificial Turf, and What Happens When You Transition to Natural Grass

[DonRocks]

Artificial turf first gained substantial attention 53 years ago in 1966, when it was installed in the year-old Astrodome. The specific product used was "ChemGrass", developed by Monsanto and rebranded as AstroTurf; this term since then became a generic trademark for any artificial turf throughout the late 20th century. AstroTurf remains a registered trademark but is no longer owned by Monsanto.

Some comments about the second play:

Here is Mike Schmidt's posture after the ball has been hit:

Schmidt's posture after the first bounce (this is while the ball is coming up):

Schmidt's posture after the second bounce - he had done a split-step, and just took a long, first stride with his right leg.

After the second bounce, Schmidt prepares to field the ball - he still hasn't touched his left foot to the ground:

Bobble (that's the baseball that popped out to his left). All because Schmidt didn't play the ball; he let the ball play him - this was in an All-Star game:

You're welcome, Brooks.