A’s to play on real grass in Sacramento, after concerns over heat on turf surface

By Evan Drellich
Oct 21, 2024

The A’s are going to play on natural grass in Sacramento, not turf as previously planned, a change preferred by the players and made out of concern for the heat.

Starting in 2025 the A’s are going to share a stadium, Sutter Health Park, with its incumbent tenant, the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. MLB previously planned to install a synthetic surface in no small part because it could have been more durable with two teams calling the field home. But the temperatures from a synthetic surface might still have been intense during warm-up and batting practice.

“Since the beginning of this process, we have worked collaboratively with the MLBPA to incorporate feedback from major and minor league players regarding the facilities, amenities, and playing conditions in Sacramento,” a league spokesperson said. “Based on feedback from players, as well as guidance from MLB’s long-time field expert, MLB, the A’s and Sutter Health Park have decided to maintain a natural grass field. Our shared, primary concern is ensuring the best and safest playing surface for the A’s, River Cats, and visiting players.

“In light of the players’ clear preference for natural grass, and after weighing with the MLBPA the potential risks and benefits of maintaining natural grass versus replacing the playing surface with synthetic turf, all the parties are aligned in moving forward with a natural grass field for Opening Day 2025.”
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Read the full New York Times article