Till We Meet Again

In this weeks observations, I realize that the field has a repeated cycle throughout the years. It goes from getting torn and slaughtered to recovering and so on. But most of the time when it's time to get ripped apart again, it hasn't fully recuperated. That's why I believe there are a good number of muddy patches with no sign of grass growing in it. Which made me come upon the question of:  

How long does it take grass to regrow after it has been abused a good number of times? 

In "Experts advice:lawn" it states 

"A. If your sod has been tramped into a muddy mess, it's not likely to return. Or, if does return, it won't look very good. You may want to consider heavily overseeding the area with new grass seed in the early spring". 

This seems both wrong and correct at the same time. It odd because every summer when the season is about to begin, it's rare to discover a muddy patch. On the other hand, it may be accurate because I'm not along side the field throughout the beginning of summer. During summer is when the custodians could be putting the seeds and fertilizers to help it grow. I also believe that the weather plays a huge factor in it growing. 

According to "SFGATE" it states that "Although benign in appearance, grass responds to changes in seasons, especially new turf installations. Each grass species or variety is either a cool-season or warm-season type. Some prefer hot, summer weather whereas others thrive in cool, fall and winter temperatures. Because grass has varying dormancy and growth periods, weather directly affects it and its success in a yard." Having read that makes me curious about what type of grass we have.  

This was an amazing experience having the opportunity to closely analyze the place I've called home for over three years. This is the first time I've actually been to the soccer field when soccer isn't in season. I came to the realization that the soccer field is depressing when there's no action in play. Especially after a not so great season. Everyday I was out there, a memorable moment came to mind and of course it was a marvelous one. Therefore to me this so called "classwork/homework" experience not only became apart of my daily routine but apart of my life that I refuse to shun out. 

Works Cited 

"Lawns." Www.bhg.com/gardening. N.p., n.d. Web. 

Rodriguez, Amy. "How Does Weather Affect the Grass?"Homeguides.sfgates.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

Update week 2

   This week there was a lot of bird poop and feathers lying around. One would say that all you can hear is the noise of traffic made by the cars, going 65 mph or so.  

   I felt the burning sun pounding against my back the first two days and the other three it was shining right at me. Every time before practice the grass is wet. The little grass that's left has been abused several time. It's not treated the way it's supposed to especially to those who say it's their home. But also the love and passion for the sport played on it has over powered it.

   The last day I decided to do something different and look at the field from the outside in. I sat next to the yellow recycling bin (facing north towards the field). First thing somebody would notice is the gray fence straight ahead of them. It was so hot but there's a breeze that felt amazing when it would hit. The main difference I recognize from the inside and outside was that the grass isn't treated the same. For example, the grass is super long and there's trash all over it. When the inside one is always getting cut, watered, and taken care of when season isn't in action. Then one would see there's two different entrances right next to one another. One is perhaps for trucks to fit through,most likely for softball, and the other for normal people to enter.

Work cited

Works Cited

    Martinez, Sebastian. “Soccer Thoughts.”Survey.03 Nov 2014

   Ortega, Luis. “Soccer Thoughts.”Survey.06 Nov 2014

   Garcia, Steven. “Soccer Thoughts.”Survey.07 Nov 2014

   Cuevas, Jesus. “Soccer Thoughts.”Survey.08 Nov 2014

Soccer Minds

     Throughout this week I did something a bit different, but nonetheless, it was still including the soccer field. On Monday, as I was analyzing every single aspect of the field, a few questions came to mind; "I wonder what other players think when they see the field or what comes to mind when they set foot on it." - field notes. I thought for a while and came to a conclusion that theres no possible way that every player thinks the exact same. Based on that, I was curious and decided to come up with a few questions and asked my buddies to help me out.

     The following questions were:
"What runs through your mind when you step on the field?"
"Is there a difference when it's a game day or not?"
"What were your thoughts when you first stepped on the field  for the first time?"
"What has been your favorite memory on the field?"
I asked a player from every grade, ninth through twelfth.

     Sebastian Martinez - Freshman
1. What I can do to improve and help the team.
2. Yes, because I am motivated the whole day to play and I focus on the game.
3. I honestly don't remember but I hope it was great.
4. Playing and knowing that I am 100% ready to play.

Luis Ortega - Sophomore
1. Being grateful to play and wanting to win the game and have fun. Nothing else.
2. If I don't play, I can't really have fun.
3, I remember being scared and happy to play because I sucked. Just wanted to have fun.
4. Winning every game with my team because they are my family.

Steven Garcia - Junior
1. We are about to run.

2. Yes there is, of course game day is much more exciting to fun for then for practice. It is depressing we are required to run, a lot. 

3. I wonder what we are going to do today. 

4. My favorite memory on the field is when we didn't have to run that practice. 

Jesus "Bolas" Cuevas - Senior 

1. What runs through my mind when I step on the field is to win the game. I am about to play wether it's a scrimmage or a final. 

2. Yes there is a difference. When it's game day or not because on game days I'm always thinking about the game. (Beautiful game) 

3. My thoughts when I first stepped in the field? I don't remember actually because I was only 6. 

4. My favorite memory was winning zone with la Wooster. 

     Once I recorded their responses, I noted that being an experienced player contributed to most of their answers. Also, it depended on what team they had made, whether it was varsity or junior varsity. The varsity athletes that I asked, answered with a more serious response whereas the others just lagged through it. I came to the conclusion that no not every athlete thinks the same, I also came upon another question as to "why don't they take practice as serious as the game?" - field notes 

Post cuatro

   Once Monday was up and running, everything was great. The grass was just cut and the lines were freshly painted. The holes were covered, but the best part was that it was game day.

   As we played, I realized that the east side of the field was not as messed up at the grass on the west side. Also, the ball moves and slides a lot fast on the short grass rather than the longer one. The next thing I realized that was annoying was that the quantity of geese poop was starting to increase once again. I hate it because when you fall it get stained all over the place. But lucky for me my mother does my laundry. 

  On Thursday when we had no more practice it felt weird because usually at that time I did my observation we would be starting practice. It was the first time I've seen a flock of geese on the field. That would explain all the geese poop from discovered the previous days.

Update week 2

   This week there was a lot of bird poop and feathers lying around. One would say that all you can hear is the noise of traffic made by the cars, going 65 mph or so.  

   I felt the burning sun pounding against my back the first two days and the other three it was shining right at me. Every time before practice the grass is wet. The little grass that's left has been abused several time. It's not treated the way it's supposed to especially to those who say it's their home. But also the love and passion for the sport played on it has over powered it.

   The last day I decided to do something different and look at the field from the outside in. I sat next to the yellow recycling bin (facing north towards the field). First thing somebody would notice is the gray fence straight ahead of them. It was so hot but there's a breeze that felt amazing when it would hit. The main difference I recognize from the inside and outside was that the grass isn't treated the same. For example, the grass is super long and there's trash all over it. When the inside one is always getting cut, watered, and taken care of when season isn't in action. Then one would see there's two different entrances right next to one another. One is perhaps for trucks to fit through,most likely for softball, and the other for normal people to enter.

Memories

   As I sit on the bleachers I get all these memories that have long passed. I remember the first time I stepped into the field during voluntary practice in the summer of 2011. I thought it was the biggest field ever. There were seniors in one corner, messing around, enjoying themselves and then there was me. I was nervous, unsure of what the coach would think of me. I didn't feel as bad though, knowing that I wasn't the only freshman going out for the first time. Not only that, but my brother was there for me, incase anything went wrong. 

    That practice started at 3:30 pm and I was there by 3 pm trying to make an impression, proving that I cared for the sport. As I put on my socks a bunch of thoughts ran through my head. I was scared of getting pushed around by the older guys. I didn't speak to anyone while I changed because I didn't know what to say or how to react. Then the clock struck 3:30 pm and it was time to train.
  Everyone stood up and lined up. We did what was required to do that practice, then it was over. That day I realized something. Thats the place where I wanted to be for the rest of my high school years. Nobody was picking on the freshmen and everyone had the same ambition, which was to make the team.