Weather is tough opponent for spring sports

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Scheduling high school sports in the springtime is not always an easy task. When Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, it can be downright trying.

Schools around the Chagrin Valley have been facing their fiercest opponent since the season began last month -- the weather. First it was cold, then it was snow and now it has been rain, and rain, and more rain.

The rain has played havoc with some teams more than others. Baseball, softball and tennis teams have fared the worst, while lacrosse and track and field have not had many events called off...

 "I've been doing this for 45 years, but this is ridiculous," Bryant said of the April weather. "It's really difficult to keep up with. A lot of calls have to be made."

Both Bryant and Rockwell said that even if it doesn't rain on the day of a scheduled game, the condition of the field from rainfall can still make the conditions bad enough to postpone the game.

"The biggest problem now of why you can't play is that the sun brings up the ground water that still is there," Bryant said. "Then, there's still water on the field. Only Hawken has the advantage."

Hawken athletic director Jim Doyle said that his school's new field has synthetic turf called "Tiger Turf" on every portion of the field with the exception of the batter's box and the pitcher's mound.

Doyle said all portions of the turf have a built-in drainage system which is effective enough to clear just about any surface water away within about 30 minutes of a rainfall.

"Virtually, we can play anytime, as long as it not raining during the game," he said. "Last Wednesday, we were the only team in the area that played a game." It had rained the day before.

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