Report: A’s to play on grass in Sacramento, not turf

Following a record-setting summer in Sacramento, Major League Baseball has reversed its decision to install artificial turf at Sutter Health Park.

According to The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich, the A’s new home stadium will feature a natural grass playing surface after player concerns were raised regarding the harsh summer temperatures.

Although the A’s and AAA Sacramento River Cats will share a field next season–one that will see 156 games played at Sutter Health Park over a 180-day period–MLB has opted to play it safe with the natural grass. League commissioner Rob Manfred has previously stated that there are plans for more night games than day games in Sacramento to avoid the harsh conditions of 100-plus degree gamedays.

The A’s will play the next three seasons in California’s capital city as they wait for construction to be completed on a planned new ballpark on the Las Vegas strip. If the park is not completed by 2027, the A’s could remain in Sacramento for the 2028 season as well.

News: The A’s will play on grass in Sacramento, not turf as previously planned. https://t.co/KqrvVWpFlc

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) October 21, 2024

“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.”

MLB spokesperson on the playing surface in Sacramento per The Athletic – October 21, 2024

More on the Athletics & Sutter Health Park

The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sacramento beginning next season, but plenty of work will need to be done this fall and winter to ensure their home ballpark meets MLB standards by Opening Day 2025.

According to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Sutter Health Park will receive major-league upgrades–including an entirely new playing surface–before next season begins.

The West Sacramento ballpark is home of the San Francisco Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and both the Athletics and River Cats will share the diamond for at least the next three seasons as the city of Las Vegas begins construction on a stadium.

The target date for completing the Las Vegas ballpark is 2028, but many around the league are skeptical that will come to fruition. This means that MLB and Sacramento will need to upgrade Sutter Health Park for the long haul in case the A’s remain in Northern California past the 2027 season.

“They are actually constructing a separate building adjacent to the stadium that will be the home clubhouse,” Manfred said in late May at the conclusion of MLB’s spring owner meetings, per The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich.

“They’re renovating the visiting clubhouse. There’s going to be new artificial turf installed. They are upgrading the camera capability, so they get major-league quality broadcasts out of Sacramento,” Manfred continued. “There are some revenue-associated renovations: some club seating and video boards that are being done in the stadium.

“So, there’s a lot going on there to get it up to snuff for the interim period. They’ve had great receptivity. I think they have seat deposits from, like, 13,000 people or something. They’re doing okay.”

Sutter Health Park and the River Cats are owned by Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings. Ranadive and A’s owner, John Fisher, hammered out an agreement that will give the Athletics a park to call home following failed negotiations with the city of Oakland on the Coliseum lease.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadive said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Major League Baseball approved the Athletics’ proposal for relocation to Las Vegas in November.

Plans are in place for a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium at the site of the Tropicana Hotel with the City of Las Vegas granting $380 million in public funding for construction in 2023. However, the ballpark will not open until at least the end of the 2027 calendar year, meaning the first season it could host the A’s in the regular season would be 2028.

Sutter Health Park opened in 2000 and has 10,624 seats, but could be modified to accommodate up to 14,000.

Upcoming 2024 MLB Playoffs & Offseason Dates

Playoffs

• Sunday, October 13th-Tuesday, October 22nd – MLB Championship Series
• Friday, October 25th-Saturday, November 2nd – 2024 MLB World Series

Offseason

• MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
• Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
• December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
• February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training

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