The San Diego Padres have the best playing surface in Major League Baseball. That's not just me saying that.



Big leaguers from other clubs who sign with the Padres have mentioned how superior the infield at Petco Park is to other ballparks. The hops are more true, the speed is more consistent.



The man responsible for that is head groundskeeper Luke Yoder. Or at least, it was until now.



In a statement to released to NBC 7 Sportswrap on Saturday, the Padres announced Yoder has left the organization:



"Luke resigned from the Padres to pursue other business ventures. We wish him the best and are thankful for his years of services to the Padres organization."



Yoder has not publicly revealed a reason for the move, but the website www.yoderballfields.com is currently under construction so he may be establishing his own construction or consulting company. His leaving is a huge loss for the Padres, as it would be for any team hoping to enjoy a home field advantage by having playing conditions be as close to perfect as possible.

Luke joined the Padres staff in 2003 and has overseen field preparation every single season at Petco Park. Before coming to San Diego he was working for the Pirates at PNC Park, another of baseball's surfaces.



He also helped the San Diego community in general. Luke helped the University Of San Diego with their infield and mound at the newly designed stadium and has had a hand in upgrading several high schools and little league facilities around the county.



Yoder has even traveled abroad to fix ball fields, recently assisting Korean baseball leagues.



The Padres have not announced who will take Luke's place but whoever it is has some awfully big gardening boots to fill.