As the MLB lockout extended into early March, commissioner Rob Manfred canceled Opening Day and the first two series of the 2022 regular season. Those games were ultimately rescheduled for later dates when a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was ratified on March 10.
The 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers schedule was originally due to begin Thursday, March 31, with an Opening Day matchup against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. The teams instead started the year by facing each other at Coors Field on April 8.
The Dodgers didn’t play their home opener until April 14, when they hosted the Cincinnati Reds.
The 99-day work stoppage gave the Dodger Stadium grounds crew a unique opportunity to revamp the infield and outfield grass. CBS L.A. provided an inside look at the work that was done.
Dodger Stadium head groundskeeper Jordan Lorenz revealed that both the outfield and infield grass were replaced, marking the first complete makeover since 2016.
Lorenz noted the turf was acquired from the Indio and Palm Springs, Calif. area, where the grass is more heat-tolerant. The projected was completed in March and the entire cost to replace the Dodger Stadium grass was $200,000.
The on-field renovations couldn’t come at a better time as Dodger Stadium is set to host the 2022 All-Star Game. The Midsummer Classic originally was supposed to be played at Chavez Ravine in 2020, but those plans were scrapped due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Is Dodger Stadium changing its name?
The Dodgers recently announced the hiring of SPORTFIVE to help secure partnerships for the team, with a focus on finding the field presenting sponsor at Dodger Stadium and jersey patch agreement.
However, the Dodger Stadium name will not change even once a sponsorship deal is signed.
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