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Cathy Wurzer

For Twins ballpark, grass is greener in Colorado

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Target Field turf
This patch of bluegrass, growing at Graff's Turf Farm near Fort Morgan Colorado, will be be transported and installed as the playing surface at the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, Target Field.
Photo Courtesy of Graff's Turf Farms

The grass for the new Twins ballpark is growing right now on an old riverbed near Fort Morgan, Colorado. The especially sandy soil on Graff's Turf Farm means the playing field will drain quickly, minimizing rain delays.

The 180,000 square feet of sod will make the trek to Minnesota in August, aboard 19 refrigerated semi-trucks. The transplanting process is carefully choreographed to avoid damaging the grass.

"From the farm to the field is going to be around a 24-hour period from harvest to installation," sod farmer James Graff said.

Graff has grown the grass for four other Major League Baseball stadiums, as well as football and soccer fields. The Twins picked out their specific plot of turf, and the team's groundskeeper Larry DiVito has visited the farm twice to see how his grass is coming along.

There have also been a number of Twins fans who have stopped by the plot to take their pictures next to their future ball field.

"I've been shocked by how many Minnesota fans are here in Colorado -- season ticket holders, in fact," Graff said.

Gallery
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rolled turf
The grass for the news Minnesota Twins ballpark will be rolled and loaded into 19 refrigerated trucks before it is shipped from Colorado to Minneapolis.
Photo Courtesy of Graff's Turf Farms
1 of 3
Target Field turf
This patch of bluegrass, growing at Graff's Turf Farm near Fort Morgan Colorado, will be be transported and installed as the playing surface at the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, Target Field.
Photo Courtesy of Graff's Turf Farms
2 of 3
sand-based turf
The turf, that will end up at the new Minnesota Twins ballpark Target Field, grows in very sandy soil which makes it drain quickly.
Photo Courtesy of Graff's Turf Farms