Health Problems Associated with Using Artificial Turfs in Baseball
Baseball might just be the favorite pastime of young Americans. In fact, it is also one of America’s most beloved sports of all time.
Data-driven insights suggest that 50 percent of Americans follow baseball. At the same time, baseball also happens to be America’s second-favorite sport right after football.
However, recently, there have been growing concerns surrounding the game, particularly regarding the artificial turfs used in baseball.
Introduced as a low-maintenance, durable alternative to grass, artificial turf is now a common feature in stadiums across the country. From youth leagues to professional ballparks, synthetic turf is touted as cost-effective and weather-resistant.
Unfortunately, beneath the neat and even surfaces of artificial turfs lies a troubling reality. These turfs have been linked to a variety of health concerns that players and even spectators are only now starting to understand.
Here are some of the health problems that are associated with using artificial turfs in baseball.
One of the most alarming discoveries about artificial turf is the presence of PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Often called “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment or the human body. In artificial turf, PFAS are often found in the plastic grass blades, the backing material, and even the infill.
Research shows that athletes playing on artificial turf are likely to be coated with higher levels of PFAS than before playing on the field. This has raised more questions about the controversial material’s safety and its usage in turfs. Reports also suggest that PFAS in artificial turf acted as a potential factor in the cancer deaths of six baseball players from Philadelphia.
What makes PFAS especially troubling is its well-documented link to cancer and other long-term health issues. These chemicals have already been the focus of nationwide legal action, particularly through the AFFF foam lawsuit. AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, contains high levels of PFAS and has been used extensively at airports and military bases for decades.
TorHoerman Law reports that repeated AFFF exposure has led to numerous cancer diagnoses. Plaintiffs in these AFFF lawsuits argue that companies failed to warn them of the risks, despite knowing the potential dangers.
As AFFF cancer lawsuits continue to unfold, they’ve become a stark example of what unchecked PFAS exposure can do. The lawsuits are also a chilling warning to athletes who spend years diving and sliding on synthetic fields releasing the same toxins.
Natural grass helps regulate temperature and absorb moisture. Synthetic turf, however, absorbs and retains heat from the sun, often reaching dangerously high surface temperatures. Hence, artificial turf can be up to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature. This can make a 90-degree day feel like standing on sizzling asphalt.
For athletes exerting themselves under the sun, this heat imbalance creates a perfect storm for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. Baseball players, especially those in the outfield who remain in direct sunlight for innings at a time, are particularly vulnerable. Even during spring and fall, the turf’s temperature-retaining nature can surprise players and coaches who underestimate the risk.
Unlike grass, artificial turf provides no natural cooling mechanism. The long-term effects of frequent heat-related stress on the body are still being studied. However, repeated overheating can impact kidney function and cognitive performance, particularly in younger athletes whose bodies are still developing.
Sliding into second base used to mean getting a little dirty. On artificial turf, though, it can mean something far more painful: turf burns. These aren’t just scraped knees; they’re friction-induced abrasions that remove layers of skin, exposing players to bacteria and infection.
Turf burns may seem minor at first. Yet, they often require longer healing times compared to cuts received on natural grass and can easily become infected if not properly treated.
The bigger concern is what happens when players keep practicing or competing on wounded skin. Open abrasions are vulnerable entry points for pathogens, and artificial turf is notoriously difficult to sanitize. In high school and college teams, staph infections have been linked to turf burns and contaminated fields.
Synthetic fields are often praised for being low maintenance and consistently even. But remember that they lack the natural give and shock absorption of real grass and dirt. That extra bounce – or rather, the lack of it – can spell trouble for knees, ankles, and hips.
Baseball players rely on quick bursts of movement – pivoting, sprinting, sliding, and twisting in place. On artificial turf, these motions put more strain on joints, leading to a greater chance of sprains, ligament tears, and overuse injuries.
Pitchers, in particular, are vulnerable due to the intense torque involved in their delivery. A mound made of turf doesn’t have the same impact-reducing qualities as one made of packed dirt. Over time, this increased strain can result in chronic injuries or even the need for surgery.
Artificial turf is popular in professional sports because it’s low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and offers a consistently even playing surface. Unlike natural grass, it doesn’t wear down easily or require regular watering and mowing. This durability allows for more frequent use, making it ideal for high-traffic arenas and multi-use sports facilities.
No, artificial turf isn’t limited to stadiums. It’s also used in school fields, public parks, residential lawns, and indoor sports facilities. Many choose it for its low upkeep and year-round greenery. Its versatility and durability make it suitable for various settings beyond just professional sports environments.
Artificial turf can offer some cushioning, especially if installed with a padded underlayer. However, it's generally firmer than natural grass, which can make falls feel harder. Newer turf systems are designed to reduce injury risk, but they still may not absorb impact as well as well-maintained natural grass.
As artificial turf becomes more common in baseball fields across the country, so too do the health concerns that come with it. Players deserve safer surfaces, not synthetic ones that quietly take a toll on their bodies with every inning played.
Baseball is, without a doubt, a game of tradition. But unfortunately, when it comes to turf, it’s time to take a closer look at what progress is really costing the players.
