A new low at the M's ballpark

Earlier this week, the process began at Safeco Field in Seattle to replace the infield dirt and grass for the first time in the ballpark’s 18-year history.

No, it’s got nothing to do with Don Henley and the rest of the Eagles rocking the stadium last weekend, although I’ve heard they put on a good show.

Pretty soon, maybe even within a few years, fans might not even recognize the place.

EARLIER THIS year, it was announced that Safeco Insurance had given up its naming rights to the field, leaving the team to put that up for bid.

No word yet if Top Pot Park is a finalist for the official name of the stadium.

A few years ago, they moved the fences in a little after the team struggled to hit home runs. Adding Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano helped in that department, but not in winning when it mattered late in the season.

They’ve been a good fielding team as well, but with all the injuries from weird bounces on the field, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to get some of those holes ironed out.

And who knows, maybe a new mound for the pitchers will limit the injuries from Seattle starters in 2018 and the M’s won’t have to also install a revolving door out in the bullpen to get through the season.

While the stadium is nice, sometimes it’s not as pleasant as you’d think during those early season games in April, where fans can get a mix of rain, snow and sun during Opening Day.

At least with the Kingdome, it was all inside and you didn’t have to worry as much about what jacket you did or didn’t have for a three-hour game.

ACCORDING TO a press release on Mariners.com, the reason for the changes is to lower the elevation of the field about 4 inches back to its original level. The growth is due to the field gradually rising after being top-dressed with sand, a common landscaping practice that is used to create a smooth surface.

Incredible, isn’t it.

Look around at area high school fields, there’s a good chance that a few are having to do the same thing once in a while in order to keep the field in top shape, or at least the appearance of that.

Maybe the Mariners should consider installing that same artificial surface that was in the Kingdome. That seemed to work out just fine at times.

As for the team’s chances next year on that new surface, there’s likely going to be a heartache.

I know.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.