The A’s have pivoted their plans to play their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, on natural grass instead of synthetic turf.
Major League Baseball originally planned to install an artificial surface at the stadium, which will be shared by the A’s and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats during the next three seasons while a new stadium is being built for the team in Las Vegas. The reason for using grass for the field was that it would hold up better if two teams played on it.
However, heat is a major concern when playing in Sacramento and temperatures will not be as high on a natural grass surface. Between that and playing as many night games as possible, the belief is that the high temperatures will be addressed.
Turf fields rarely reach temperatures above 100 degrees, according to an article published by the National Parks and Recreation Association. In contrast, synthetic surfaces can reach maximum temperatures of up to 140 to 170 degrees in hot, sunny conditions.
Last summer, Sacramento had its hottest 20-day stretch on record, with an average of 103.8 degrees during those three weeks from June 23 to July 12. On July 5, the temperature reached 110 degrees. The next day, the high was 113 degrees.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred he told reporters in July that the league, the players’ union and field consultant Murray Cook selected a synthetic surface that would also feature “a specific hydration component” that would add water to cool the grass. A hybrid of grass 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 will also include a new clubhouse, a new batter’s eye in center field and upgrades to the dugouts and bullpens to bring them up to Major League standards.
The A’s have the option to play in West Sacramento for a fourth season in 2028 if the new fixed-roof stadium in Las Vegas is not ready.
