January 20, 200422 yr 01/20/2004 2:31 PM ET Expos renew lease, add new turf By Bill Ladson / MLB.com The Montreal Expos announced Tuesday the renewal of their one-year lease at Olympic Stadium and the installation of a new synthetic playing surface. The Expos will play on FieldTurf, the same surface used by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field and the Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium. Approximately 2,000 trays of 6-by-12-foot turf will be required to cover the playing surface and will feature the first portable installation by Montreal-based FieldTurf. The turf will be put in Olympic Stadium immediately. "This is a non-abrasive surface. If people are making diving catches or sliding on the surfaces, it going to be almost like natural grass," said Claude Delorme, the Expos' executive vice president of business affairs. "The fibers are very forgiving and the players are not going to get any of these rug burns. The players are going to know the comfort level of the surface." The Expos' Opening Night at Olympic Stadium is slated for Friday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. ET against the Philadelphia Phillies. Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
January 20, 200422 yr Author Too late for the field turf. Vlad stated that he left Montreal because he wanted to get away from the artificial turf for his health.
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