Mariners Head Groundskeeper Bob Christofferson has worn a beard for decades, but he still knows the value of a good close shave.
And that’s basically what happened at Safeco Field on Thursday, Day 1 of a month-long process to replace the ballpark’s entire playing surface.
Step 1: Removal of the existing grass
A crew from A.M. Landshaper traveled over from Spokane with piece of landscaping equipment called a fraise mower, a contraption that’s pulled behind a tractor, which basically shaves the grass down to the roots.
“Over time, organic matter builds up and you gotta get all that out of there and you start fresh,” says Christofferson.