Weather Is A Tough Challenge For Camden Yards Grounds Crew
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- The Orioles home opener kicks off Friday and so much goes into making sure the baseball field at Camden Yards is perfect.
A bitterly cold March plus rain this week has created tough challenges for the grounds crew.
Linh Bui has the latest on Opening Day preps.
There's a lot left to do at Camden Yards and unfortunately this rain is a problem.
Wet weather slows the grounds crew down, as they work against the clock.
"You're depending on a break in the rain to get out there and make sure everything is perfect. And that doesn't seem to be happening too often so we're just trying to get out there whenever we can," said Nicole McFadyen, Orioles head groundskeeper.
In addition to the rain, Orioles Head Groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen says record breaking cold temps in March really impacted the grass.
"How are we gonna address the root system, which is the structure of our grass stability. So to make sure that was 100 percent playable was a little bit nerve wrecking because at 20 degrees, roots don't want to do anything," McFadyen said.
They've been working 10 hours a day for the last two weeks, fine tuning all the little details and making sure everything is perfect.
"Opening Day is always such a big event for our organization. So hoping that everything works out where the team comes back and they're happy with the field and the fans get to enjoy a nice day," said McFadyen.
As the logo getting painted on -- things look good. The nice weather we've had helped bring the grass out of its dormancy. And with the home opener a little later this year, crews had extra time.
The field is not perfect, but we're told it is playable right now.
McFadyen says this is the second toughest weather situation she's dealt with.
The hardest was in 2003, when she says there was snow on Opening Day.