04/19/24
September 27, 2009
Artificial turf goes way of the dead ball : After the Twins play their Metrodome finale, just two non-grass fields will remain in the major leagues: the Rogers Centre and Tropicana Field. That's down from a high of 10 artificial surfaces, in 1977-78 and again from 1982-94. Maury Wills remembered back 43 years ago to that April night when he became the first batter to hit on artificial turf in a major-league game. "I'm a traditionalist," said the Los Angeles Dodgers speedster, who opened that night at Houston's Astrodome with a single off Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. "I'm still an old-school guy. I believe baseball was meant to be played outdoors and be played in the daytime." Turns out, most others think baseball is better on grass, too. The sport's turf wars are nearing an end.
posted by tommytrump to baseball at 09:17 AM - 5 comments
You'd think after their last real slugger, Troy Glaus, skipped town to save his knees that Toronto would've had the conversation that maybe turf is a bad idea.
posted by dfleming at 10:44 AM on September 27, 2009
Along with the widespread adoption of fake grass came funky stadiums (Riverfront, Three Rivers, etc.) and those ugly double knit uniforms with the elastic waistbands, etc. Glad they're all going or already gone.
posted by beaverboard at 12:36 PM on September 27, 2009
The demise of the Metrodome as a baseball stadium is one of the best things to happen in Major League Baseball in the past 25 years. The so-called field in Tampa Bay will see the wrecking ball soon, but not soon enough. Since Toronto has a retractable roof, I don't see why they cannot put in real grass as Seattle has. The roof in Seattle is closed most of the time, but the lights are such that they simulate sunlight and allow the grass to grow.
posted by Howard_T at 12:46 PM on September 27, 2009
I might, just might, have to actually go to a Twins home game next year.
I've boycotted that damn dome for 15 years. What a waste of a day, to go sit in that ugly building, and watch a game designed to be played outdoors.
posted by dviking at 12:08 AM on September 28, 2009
What I will miss is the Metrohop (a fly ball that bounces off the ground) and the Glad bag as the right field fence. Hope they enjoy April; I hear it's wonderful that time of year -- cold and occasionally snowy (sounds like Vikings' weather).