Rockies replacing field for the first time since 2019

DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Rockies are set to replace their field for the first time since 2019, a spokesperson for the team told FOX31 in a statement on Wednesday morning.

“The turf at Coors Field is being replaced ahead of the 2026 season due to normal wear and tear incurred from our season and the ancillary events that take place at Coors Field. This is a normal cadence for field replacement for us, with our last replacement taking place following the 2019 season,” said the spokesperson.

During those six years between then and now, the Rockies have gone on to have their three-worst seasons in franchise history, which means, following the replacement of the field, they will be perfectly fine at the start of next season — let fans dream a little.

Since the start of the sport, baseball fields in the MLB have always had their unique quirks that sometimes become synonymous with a team.

From stone statues in the outfield to a 520-foot right-center field, ballparks have definitely all come in different shapes and sizes, but one thing most have in common is real, natural grass to play on.

In a sport where players are constantly diving and sliding, field upkeep is integral to ensure that players don’t stand up after a slide with burns that look like they tumbled out of a car traveling 50 miles per hour.

One way to make sure that the players can remain injury and pain-free is by playing on grass. Out of the 30 teams in the MLB, only five have artificial turf installed at their ballpark, according to BetMGM.

If you’ve ever played on astroturf, you’ll know that it can become a cauldron of heat, and each slide typically removes a couple of layers of skin, which is infused with tiny rubber pellets that you have to pick out of the wound.

The five teams in the MLB with turf fields include:

Noticeably missing from the list are the Rockies, who prefer grass — specifically, Kentucky bluegrass.

Cornell said that Kentucky bluegrass is the grass used for sports in major cool seasons. It is the most-used grass in the MLB.

It has characteristics, including:

Coors Field will be partially resodded and maintained, with multiple mows and patches per week during the season, due to wear and tear from baseball or events like concerts, but a full replacement doesn’t take place as frequently.

The last major renovation at Coors was actually in 2019, when the field was upgraded in areas like drainage, a rebuilt root zone, the installation of a new hydronic heating system and new grass, according to Athletic Turf.

The Sports Field Management Association said that grass fields undergo a full replacement every two to five years, so Coors is a bit behind schedule, even on the longer side of things.

Hopefully, a fresh field can give the team a fresh start. After the worst three seasons in team history, back to back to back, the Rockies need something to work in their favor.