Ballpark Digest is previewing what every MLB team is doing to begin the season, both on and off the field, as the 2018 campaign launches today. Up next: the Seattle Mariners and Safeco Field.
Both on and off the field, the Seattle Mariners have made changed the experience of games at Safeco Field. As usual, the Mariners are rolling out some interesting new food and beverage offerings, but one major project marks a significant change to the player experience for the coming season.
Ahead of the 2018 season, the Mariners replaced the entire playing surface at Safeco Field. The scope of the project amounted to the most significant work completed on the playing surface since the ballpark opened in 1999. Though the Mariners had replaced infield and foul territory grass prior to the 2012 season, the team’s project during the most recent offseason marked the first replacement of the ballpark’s entire playing surface.
The Mariners are traditionally among Major League Baseball’s most creative teams when it comes to food items, and that trend continues this year. Seattle staples like Jack’s BBQ and Din Tai Fung will be in the ballpark. Other offerings include a donut stand named On Deck Donuts, a new beef “long bone” rib at Holy Smoke BBQ, and a fresh mix of options at The Sultan of Sandwich. The Sultan of Sandwich in particular is receiving refined offerings, including a local pork meatball sandwich, a Cubano, and a Rueben. Safeco Field’s Club Level will see the introduction of a lobster roll at Sound Seafood, and some new sandwiches at The Club Bistro.
To compliment some of the food items, the Mariners are introducing a slate of new beverage options that range from 16-ounce cans to draft beer. For the beer lovers, the mix of new draft selections includes Sierra Nevada Hazy Lil Thing, Kona Hanalei, 10 Barrel Apocalypse, Elysian Avatar Jasmine, No-Li Big Juicy, and Maritime Imperial.
Getting to Safeco Field could be easier in some cases this year. New CLEAR Lanes will be available at both the home plate and left field gates, and the Mariners will implement a plan to open additional entrance points for games that are expected to draw large crowds.