Mariners to replace all the grass and dirt at Safeco Field

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners will replace all the grass and dirt at Safeco Field for the first time since the park opened in 1999.

The Mariners announced Wednesday that the removal of the sod and dirt will begin this week. The plan is to have the new grass in place by the end of October.

Seattle replaced the grass around the infield and in foul territory before the 2012 season, but the outfield has remained mostly untouched since the park opened. The new grass will come from Country Green Turf Farms near Olympia, Washington. Country Green provided the original grass for the ballpark in 1999.

The dirt around the infield and pitcher's mound will also be replaced but the construction of the new mound won't take place until March.