The Field
O'Brien Field's sod has an eight-inch (203 mm) deep root zone of 90% sand and 10% Dakota peat for nutrition. The high concentration of sand naturally relieves soil compaction.
Beneath the sand and peat mix are six inches (152 mm) of gravel. Running through the gravel are drainage tiles that run from home plate to center field. A huge sump pump beyond center field then drains into the city sewer system.
The makeup of the pitcher's mound and batter's boxes are almost 100% clay because it packs better and holds moisture well. The rest of the infield skin area is around 80% clay and 20% sand.
The field will hold up to five inches (127 mm) of rain an hour, another advantage of O’Brien Field. The only way a game could be rained out would be due to a torrential downpour during a game.
The field is mowed every day during homestands, trimmed to 1–1¼ inches high. It takes less than an hour to cut the outfield grass with a 72-inch (1,800 mm) cut mower. A walk-behind mower is used for the infield.
The price tag for the field itself was around $450,000.
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