J.Mike's Missives

Crews at the Georgia Dome spent the weekend installing a grass field in preparation for Wednesday’s soccer match between Mexico and Venezuala.

It will be the first time the venue hosts an event on a grass field (click here for photos).

Sod from Precision Turf in Lilburn was laid in 4-by-8 foot sections. It will be removed after the game and more grass will be put down in preparation for another soccer match on July 22.

In chatting with head groundskeeper Jim Hewitt (@FalconsGrounds) Tuesday I learned the grass doesn’t need much to stay in place. A bed of plastic and plywood do the trick for a base (pictured) and the large sections of grass (about 2 inches thick) buddy up and start to connect.

I also learned that grass, especially in Georgia, needs plenty of heat and light to grow.

That was a problem when the idea of putting a natural surface in an indoor stadium was first explored.

Engineers of the Astrodome originally put down Bermuda grass, which would — in theory — grow under a semitransparent roof. A section of the roof was painted to prevent glare which, combined with the problem of growing grass in the absence of sunlight, led to the demise of the concept.

The Houston Texans also play on a grass field inside of Reliant Stadium, but the sod is brought in and out of the retractable-roof facility on trays. The Arizona Cardinals also play on grass under a retractable roof, but the entire field is tracked in and out of the stadium.

According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta plans to be in a proposal to host World Cup games in 2018 or 2022

J. Michael Moore Georgia Dome Arizona Cardinals, Astrodome, Georgia Dome, Houston Texans, Reliant Stadium