It has been a month since Marlins Park officially opened and the club is "still trying to figure out how to plug leaks in their 8,000-ton retractable roof and how to stop the grass from dying in the outfield,” according to Manny Navarro of the MIAMI HERALD. The grounds crew at Marlins Park is “first going to turn its attention to the grass in the outfield -- particularly right field -- that is turning brown.” Marlins President David Samson said that rain in April “caused the retractable roof at Marlins Park to be closed more often than they expected.” The lack of sun "has led to the decay of the grass.” The Marlins “already have replaced the turf in right field once -- before opening night.” Samson said that there is “always a chance they might have to replace the sod entirely,” and added that it “has happened at other ballparks with retractable roofs.” Samson said, “(Sunday) there were four of five spots where we had some drips coming down. The roof people were looking at those joints. Again, it’s very normal (to have leaks). But you need it to rain and see where (the leaks are).” Following April's 11 home games, the Marlins “are averaging 30,681 fans in paid attendance, ranking 14th in baseball.” While the number of walk-up ticket buyers "isn’t large" on game days, Samson said, "We’re selling much more on the day of the game than we had last year" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/2).
