What is that patch of grass behind the outfield in baseball stadiums?

Question

I was at a cardinals game yesterday and someone asked me what the patch of grass back behind the outfield was for and I have no idea. Help me restore my baseball cred!!

Answer 1

Some stadiums have grass areas for general admission.

In most stadiums, there are no seats directly behind the center field fence.

They either use grass, dark empty seats, or a black tarp for better visibility for the batters. It makes it easier to pick up the pitches as compared to the movement and colored clothing of fans.



EDIT: Thanks, Chip, never heard that term.

Answer 2

First off, only several major league baseball teams have that patch of grass behind the centerfield wall. Some teams and stadiums that do have it include:

St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium

Colorado Rockies - Coors Field (more trees & shrubs then pure grass)

Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium



The grass is used as a gauge for batters for them to have a landmark to determine where center field is from the periphery of their eyes as they are attempting to hit a pitch. Most outfield walls are generic so batters find it useful to have a marker for the center of the outfield.



The grass is sometimes called 'target grass' or 'marker grass'.

Answer 3

Cardinals Stadium Grass

Answer 4

I know there are some stadiums that have an area for people to sit on the grass and watch the game for like $10. It might be St. Louis.

Answer 5

Wasted space in my opinion, Busch stadium doesn't allow people to sit there, but in Petco Park there is a grass space where people can sit

Answer 6

heck yes!! my home town!! but here is why:

busch has the patch of grass so the batters can look at it. they have that so the ball is more visible and the batter doesnt lose track of it.



CARDIANLS!!



btw, the old busch is SO MUCH BETTER. but the new one is good too

Answer 7

Skyhawk's got a good description, but left out the common name -- the batter's eye.