Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers grounds crew plays a crucial role in maintaining the iconic Dodger Stadium, ensuring it’s pristine for every game. Their meticulous work begins long before the first pitch and continues throughout the season, involving a range of tasks from preparing the field to maintaining its aesthetic appeal.
Field Preparation
Foul Lines and Batter’s Box
Drawing the foul lines is an art form in itself. The grounds crew uses a special chalk-dispensing machine to create crisp, straight lines from home plate to the foul poles with precision akin to that of a football field painter. The process requires a steady hand and a keen eye for detail to ensure the lines are straight and of consistent width. The batter’s box is another area that requires precise attention. The crew carefully measures and marks out the box according to league specifications then uses chalk to create sharp, clearly visible lines. This process is repeated before each game to ensure the lines remain clear and accurate throughout the season.
The Pitching Mound
One of the most critical areas of the baseball field is the pitching mound. The Dodgers’ grounds crew carefully prepares and maintains this crucial game element. The process begins with ensuring the mound’s height is precisely 10 inches above home plate level, as mandated by league standards. The mound is circular, with an 18-foot diameter, and the pitching rubber at its apex is exactly 60 feet, 6 inches from the back edge of the home plate.
To maintain the mound’s integrity, the crew uses a high-clay content soil mix, often incorporating specialized packing clays. This mixture provides stability and durability, especially in the landing zone where pitchers’ cleats repeatedly impact the surface. The mound is built in layers, with each inch-thick layer compacted firmly before adding the next. This layering technique ensures a solid, stable surface that can withstand the rigors of gameplay.
Before each game, the grounds crew meticulously repairs any damage from previous use. They fill holes, level the surface, and ensure the proper slope from the rubber to the mound’s base. This maintains the mound’s appearance and ensures pitcher safety and consistent playing conditions.
Grass Maintenance
Dodger Stadium’s lush, green grass is perhaps its most visually striking feature. The grounds crew employs various techniques to keep the turf in top condition throughout the year. The team uses Bermuda grass, a warm-season variety well-suited to Southern California’s climate. This type of grass thrives in hot conditions and recovers quickly from damage, making it ideal for the rigors of a baseball season. The grounds crew maintains the grass at a specific height, typically mowing it daily during the season to ensure consistent playing conditions and aesthetic appeal.
Mowing Patterns
The distinctive patterns seen on the field are created through lawn striping. The grounds crew uses specialized mowers with attached rollers to bend the grass in different directions. Light reflecting off the bent grass creates the illusion of lighter and darker stripes. These patterns are not just for show; they can also help fielders judge the speed and direction of ground balls.
Year-Round Maintenance
Maintaining the field is a year-round job. During the off-season, the grounds crew oversees any necessary renovations, such as re-sodding worn areas or improving drainage systems. They also use this time to conduct more intensive maintenance procedures that can’t be done during the playing season. On game days, the grounds crew arrives early, often by 7 AM, to begin their preparations. Their tasks include:
- Mowing the grass to the proper height
- Watering the infield and outfield to maintain optimal moisture levels
- Grooming the infield dirt, ensuring it’s neither too hard nor too soft
- Checking and adjusting the pitching mound and home plate area
- Painting foul lines and batter’s boxes
- Setting up batting practice equipment and removing it afterward
After each game, the crew repairs any damage to the field, filling in holes, replacing divots, and leveling out uneven areas.
Adapting to Challenges
The grounds crew must be adaptable and ready to face various challenges. Weather is a constant concern, with rain being a particular issue. The crew uses tarps to protect the infield when rain threatens, and they have developed efficient techniques for quickly removing the tarps and preparing the field once the weather clears.
They also need to be prepared for non-baseball events. For instance, when Dodger Stadium hosted soccer matches, the grounds crew had to completely reconfigure the field, removing the pitcher’s mound and laying sod over the infield dirt.
Technological Advancements
Modern groundskeeping incorporates various technologies to maintain optimal field conditions. The Dodgers’ grounds crew likely uses sophisticated irrigation systems, weather monitoring equipment, and specialized tools for measuring soil moisture and compaction. These technologies help them make data-driven decisions about field care, ensuring the best possible playing surface.
The Los Angeles Dodgers grounds crew’s work combines science, art, and dedication. Their efforts ensure that Dodger Stadium remains one of the most beautiful and well-maintained ballparks in Major League Baseball, providing an optimal playing surface for the athletes and a visually stunning experience for the fans.
