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December 23, 2004
The Thrill Of The Grass
For some time now, Soccer fans have been concerned over how D.C. United is going to cope with sharing RFK Stadium with the Washington Nationals next season. Already, we've found out that several bleacher sections that normally housed United's most loyal fans will be eliminated to make way for baseball. Now, we're getting the details on how stadium authorities are going to deal with that dirt infield: United President Kevin Payne said the dirt baseball infield at RFK would be covered with a layer of grass that would be unrolled prior to soccer games. Stadium officials had considered placing dozens of grass trays over the infield but they've received assurances that the rolls of grass would work sufficiently. The portable grass will have a clay base instead of common soil to create a stronger foundation and prevent the turf from sliding out of place during game action, Payne said. It will take two days to transform the playing surface from baseball to soccer and three days from soccer to baseball. United opens defense of its MLS title on the road on April 2, 2005 in Carson California, when they play expansion franchise CD Chivas USA. Their home opener will be played on April 9 against the Chicago Fire, just five days before the Nationals make their debut at RFK against the Arizona Diamondbacks. If I were a baseball fan, I'd think hard about grabbing tickets to that first United game, just to get a look at how last-minute work on the stadium is progressing.
Eric
12:21 PM
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