Ground crews at Wrigley installing new sod for playoffs

FOX 32 NEWS - Even when the cubs are on the road, there's plenty of action at Wrigley Field.

Grounds crews are racing the clock and installing a brand new playing field before the Cubs' return home on Thursday.

The cubs have been tearing it up at Wrigley all season, but it was a series of recent concerts that damaged the outfield, prompting the decision to replace every square inch of grass on the entire field.

Now, the grounds crew is the most important team on the field, performing a monumental turf task as curious fans peek through the right field gate.

"It's crazy how fast they can come in and tear it out and put it back in,” one man said.

"Not a real pretty sight out there as I'm looking at it,” Don Green said. "It does look different, but they're getting ready for the playoffs and that's what it's all about right now."

It starts with a layer of sand, and then giant four foot wide rolls of turf are meticulously unspooled into place with special equipment. Crews using rakes stitch the seams together and beat the grass into place.

On Thursday, the old turf was piled up outside the ballpark for fans to take. But by Friday, it was all gone.

Janet Hemstreet brought a bag to bring for a chunk of sod she had hoped to place over her late father's grave. Her 92-year-old mom also came along.

"Because I love the Cubs and I've been waiting all these years for them to win the World Series. How could I not?" said 92-year-old Patricia Hemstreet.