Managing Executive John Allen said Tuesday he has given up any hope of getting the Bengals' consent for the installation of a natural grass surface at Cinergy next year. That likely will mean the Reds, who move into a new ballpark in 2003, will play their remaining three years at Cinergy on artificial turf. There is no hope of having grass installed. The Reds are moving home plate and bringing in the outfield fence next year. There's no time left to lay the grass before those changes are made, Mr. Allen said.
Players prefer natural grass because it is easier on their legs and knees.
The new baseball stadium will have grass. Although the Bengals will move into their new home next summer, any Cinergy Field changes require agreement from the Bengals. Bengals President Mike Brown has said he's against the change because the new stadium might not be ready on schedule, forcing the Bengals to play one or more preseason games at Cinergy. But Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said the disagreement is more about the Reds playing a home game the same day Paul Brown Stadium opens. This has always been about the Bengals holding out every little bit of leverage they have to accomplish something unre lated to the field issue.