EDMONTON (AP) - At the beginning of 2007, the city of Edmonton, Alberta, had raised enough capital to welcome Weaverball to their city. Paulette Markson had her submission of Orcas selected in the 'Name the Team' vote off in April (over the Tinmen and the Flash). By July of that year, plans for the new domed baseball stadium were complete and construction had begun. However, a hotly contested agument between ownership, developers, and city planners was the age old debate of artificial or natural grass.

The developers had given city officials a firm estimate with a 5% cost overrun allowance in their bid. The installation and maintenance of natural grass was not included in the initial offer. When ownership became part of the stadium building process, they insisted that artificial turf would be detrimental to the players and future of the franchise. Although everyone agreed that natural grass was the way to go, the installation and upkeep was more than the 5% overrun built into the contract and the city was not going pay for it. Thus, an artificial field was laid down as planned.

It's now 2014. The Orcas have wrapped up their 7th season in Edmonton, posting a dismal 50 and 112 record. On the bright side, it's 2 wins more than the season before, and 3 short of their second best season in 2011. (2012, the 75-87 season, is considered a fluke as impatient ownership insisted on winning now, rather than continuing the slow process of building a youthful contender). During that span, season ending injuries have occurred to catcher Serafin Quintanar, shortstop Roy David, and pitcher Jay Lozado during their rookie years; veteran Darren Erstad was lost, crippling a weak offense which began the fire sale of 2013; and, countless other minor strains, pulls, and dislocations were accured from a unforgiving field hurting team chemistry, player development, and fan faith. This year, however, was by far the worst. Quintanar fractured his elbow behind home plate chasing down a pop fly when he fell on it because his foot had caught on a seam in the carpet. The same injury happened to outfielder Kelly Laskey, as he was inserted as a defensive replacement and also tripped in foul territory. Young stud pitcher Lee Valdez collided with Vancouver's Robb Reuschel as Valdez slipped on a worn spot, reached out to tag Reuschel, and tore his tricept as the twisted to the ground. The final straw, however, came the next night against the Mounties, as All-Timer Pete Alexander did almost an exact repeat of Valdez, despite looking for the troubled spot, and was lost for the season after his collision with Vancouver's Pavel Chmura.

Apparently, enough is enough for Owner J.J. Wurz, as he has personally vowed to have the articifical field replaced during the off season with natural grass. It is expected that the initial cost of the grass will be paid directly from ownership, and that the maintenance for grounds keeping, watering, and other expenses will be covered by a $1 raise in seat prices for the 2015 season. With a better field, however, less injuries will occur and a better team should be viable. So, send in the sod. There ought to be sod. Well, maybe, it's here?