The drought is taking its toll on high school athletic fields across Indiana. Lack of rain is making natural grass football fields more like concrete parking lots. Officials say they can become hazardous for players.

Fields tend to be made up of Kentucky Blue and Perennial Rye Grass. Both are drought tolerant, but Purdue Agronomy Professor Dr. Cale Bigelow says foot traffic and equipment can compact the turf and make it less drought tolerant. Bigelow says Bermuda grass is considered more drought tolerant, but it‘s more expensive and requires seeding to grow.