Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Wrigley's Grass Patterns — Including The 'Burberry' — Change Over Season

 Wrigley Field sports about 10 different infield/outfield grass designs.
Wrigley Field grass designs
View Full Caption

CHICAGO — The Cubs go through grass formations like a free-wheeling fashion show.

The team has about 10 different patterns for the infield/outfield at Wrigley Field, according to Justin Spillman, the team's head groundskeeper, and Cubs spokesman Julian Green.

This season, the patterns have included a lattice-look and a straight-stripe design. The straight-stripe motif will remain for the series against Washington, which begins Thursday at Wrigley.

"We could do a lot more intricate patterns, but we don't want to take away from the game," said Spillman, whose official title is Manager, Wrigley Field Playing Surface. "People aren't there to see grass patterns."

Spillman said only one of Wrigley's 10-or-so grass patterns is named: Last year, the grounds crew made a plaid-looking pattern they dubbed "the Burberry pattern."

Wrigley sports a blend of Kentucky bluegrass that's cut to a length of 1-1/8 inches, Green said.

Spillman said his crew uses two Toro 3100 lawnmowers with 85-inch widths to make its grass creations. Each take about two hours, Spillman said. Mowers usually follow a string for the first line, but after that, the grounds crew "just goes at it," Spillman said.

 A general view on June 16, 2015 at Wrigley Field during the fifth inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians in Chicago.
A general view on June 16, 2015 at Wrigley Field during the fifth inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians in Chicago.
View Full Caption
David Banks/Getty Images

"I see a pattern from pictures or some of my guys on the crew will come up with ideas, and we'll go and execute it," Spillman said.

Green said all patterns must be approved by Cubs executives before they're mowed into the Wrigley grass.

Groundskeepers can change how fans view the grass' hue with different directions of the grass blades, Red Sox head groundskeeper David Mellor told the New York Times. Grass blades bent away from the spectator capture more light, while blades curving toward the viewer make the grass appear darker, the Times said.

The Cubs are a Major League Baseball-best 20-6 heading into Thursday's game at Wrigley against Washington.

The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: