Cashman Field grass hit hard by summer drought

Nick Christensen

Friday, Aug. 15, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Playing baseball in the desert, the Las Vegas 51s don't expect a lush, green turf to grow at Cashman Field.

But as the 2003 season winds to a close, the playing surface at Cashman has started to degrade. The turf is loose, patches of fresh sod stick out amongst older grass, and the path between home plate and the pitcher's mound is so worn that some have suggested the field crew just give up on it and put down more dirt.

Las Vegas second baseman Joe Thurston, in his second season with the 51s, has noticed the difference.

"The grass is definitely thicker in some places, muddy in other times," he said. "It's real bad compared to last year and other fields we've been on."

"It's an embarrassment for a Triple-A ballclub," said 51s pitching coach Shawn Barton. "The infielders are timid, waiting for the ball to take a bad hop. For Triple-A, we're embarrassed."

Manager John Shoemaker has noticed as well. "There are many patches where there are no grass, and for some reason, a lot of turf flies up when a ground ball is hit."

The problem, according to 51s president Don Logan, has its foundation in a personnel change within the grounds crew. Logan believes that when the previous groundskeeper was replaced, some of his knowledge on how to grow grass with Cashman's extensive watering and drainage system didn't get passed along to the new crew.

Cashman Field's groundskeepers are employees of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which operates the stadium. LVCVA spokesman Rob Powers said his organization is working to improve the situation.

"We'll be sitting down with (the 51s) at the conclusion of the season, and assessing the field conditions and seeing what steps we need to take."

Powers also denied speculation that the browning greens had anything to do with the possibility of the 51s' leaving their landlord for a new facility in Henderson.

"We've enjoyed a good working relationship with the 51s and Stars for many years," he said. "Cashman has been the site of major-league baseball, exhibition games, and regular-season games. Pro clubs have used that facility before, and they have very high standards."

Some had hoped that the LVCVA might be able to improve the turf over the 51s' 13-day roadtrip. But Logan said that no fix will be made until the season's end in September.

"They're going to completely fix it when the season's over," said Logan. "We couldn't fix it now and be able to play the last few games."