A’s must play on grass at West Sacramento’s home stadium due to heat issues

The Athletics have decided to play their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on natural grass instead of artificial turf.

Major League Baseball originally planned to install an artificial surface at the ballpark that the A’s and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats will share for the next three seasons while a new stadium is being built for the team in Las Vegas. The reason for using turf for the field was that it would hold up better when two teams played on it.

However, the heat is a major issue in Sacramento and temperatures will not be as high on a natural grass surface. By then and by playing as many night games as possible, we are confident that the high temperatures will be brought under control.

According to an article from the National Recreation and Park Association, grassy areas rarely reach temperatures above 100 degrees. In contrast, synthetic surfaces can reach maximum temperatures of 140 to 170 degrees in hot, sunny conditions.

Last summer, Sacramento had its hottest 20-day stretch on record, averaging 103.8 degrees in the three weeks from June 23 to July 12. On July 5th the temperature reached 110 degrees. The next day the high temperature was 113 degrees.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters in July that the league, players’ union and field consultant Murray Cook had selected a synthetic surface that would also have “a special hydration component” that would add water to cool the turf. A mix of turf in the infield and grass in the outfield was also considered, but MLB decided against it.

In addition to the new playing surface, renovations at Sutter Health Park also include a new home clubhouse, a new batter’s eye in center field, and improvements to the dugouts and bullpens to bring them up to major league standards.

The A’s have the option to play a fourth season in West Sacramento in 2028 if the new permanent-roof ballpark in Vegas isn’t ready.