For those of you who read my column last week you know that I enjoy Eastern women’s rugby. I enjoy not only the intensity of the game, but the atmosphere that surrounds it.

For the past two years, as I have watched games at Lakeside Rugby Field, one thing that has always caught my eye was the gorgeous healthy green grass.

As I walked onto the field the other day I did not see the same sight that I’m accustomed to seeing.

As I stood spitting sunflower seeds, looking around almost feeling lost, I noticed that with all of the dried up grass I could not see the brown shell of the seed I had just spit into the dead grass.

With the grounds crew doing work to the field it is surprising to see such a beat-up field.

As I walked off the field I noticed the women’s softball field. Another field that is always in great shape, well, this was not the case. The outfield looked just as bad as the rugby field, if not worse.

What happened to the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?

This almost brought tears to my eyes. One of the greatest things about a baseball field is the emerald green grass!

I know it may seem a little strange that I care so deeply about this grass but I remember the first time I walked into Comiskey Park and the power of the green grass almost took my breath away.

I think I fell in love with the grass before I fell in love with the game.

The beautiful sight of well tended to grass can change the outcome of a game or even prevent an injury.

But on the bright side, the grounds crew does have some time until these fields have to be played on.

The rugby team’s first home game is on September 12th and the softball team plays at Williams Field on September 18.

Bob Shaughnessy can be reached at 581-7944 or

rrshaughnessy@eiu.edu