Field taking shape at PETCO

Bull's Eye Bermuda grass installed in Padres' new park

By Mike Scarr/MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres took another step toward PETCO Park on Wednesday.

In a process that gave the ground inside the ballpark the immediate appearance of a ball field, the sod that will make up the playing surface was installed.

PETCO Park is getting a blanket of Bull's Eye Bermuda grass, a hybrid that is grown in Palm Desert, Calif., at West Coast Turf farm. The special turf is used throughout Southern California and is currently in use at Bank One Ballpark, home of the Diamondbacks, and at Edison Field, home of the Angels.

West Coast Turf also has the National Football League and such renowned golf courses as Pebble Beach, Riviera and Los Angeles Country Club as clients.

Bull's Eye Bermuda was chosen for PETCO for its color, durability and a tolerance for shade. Marina Landscape, the Padres' field construction contractor, is overseeing the installation of the sod and the process is expected to take two to three days. The root structure will take another 30-60 days to mature.

The grass provides ideal footing on sports surfaces with "tightly packed leaves near the soil surface" according to West Coast Turf's website. The Padres, who have shared their playing field with the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego State Aztecs for the last 35 years, should enjoy the improvements.

Sod is considered to have the advantage over seeding even though it has a higher initial cost. Being a mature lawn from the start, sod can be used in a much shorter time frame than seeding, which takes months to mature.

PETCO Park will be ready for business on Opening Day 2004.