Pro Diamond of the Year

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Will Schnell's scientific approach to field care earned Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, home of the Norwich Navigators, the Eastern League Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, the 1996-1997 Beam Clay Professional Baseball Diamond of the Year Award. Neal Pate supplies finishing touches for the well-manicured infield. Photos courtesy: Will Schnell. Schnell Navigates Dodd Stadium to Pro Diamond of the Year

By Bob Tracinski State University, he worked at the uni- Olathe, Kans., verified that each com- versity for two years and took graduate ponent of each media load matched onstruction ofthis Norwich, Conn., classes. He then worked for the specifications." facility was completed in March of Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A The sod was specifically grown 1995. Schnell came on board two C affiliate of the Montreal Expos, before locally in sandy soils with three vari- months prior to that date as stadium moving on to the Cleveland Browns. eties of Kentucky bluegrass. Schnell superintendent/head groundskeeper. has overseeded the original sod with He says, "All the sod was down and A Good Design superior bluegrasses - Princeton, they were wrapping up the final work Schnell points out that Dodd Midnight, SR2000 and Eclipse - and on the mounds and warning track. I Stadium's sand-based field was well two endophyte perennial ryegrasses. had less than a month to select, pur- designed and constructed. The chase and take delivery of equipment, drainage system consists of four-inch The turf area irrigation system has which was a major challenge itself. laterals on 20-foot centers, with a 16- 12 separate zones, S2001, 300 series While Dodd Stadium is leased to the inch main drain line. A four-inch heads, an auxiliary booster pump and Norwich Navigators, the facility is crushed gravel blanket sits below a a remote control unit for on-field owned by the city of Norwich and oper- nine-inch growing medium of 90 per- watering. The skinned area is also irri- ated by the Stadium Authority. As a cent sand and 10 percent North gated using eight 1-42 Hunter heads new entity, the Stadium Authority had Dakota Peat. fed by a three-inch main line, provid- no established lines of credit or credit Schnell says, "Like the turf, the ing optimum coverage in a short time. history, and wouldn't be generating infield is built for drainage. The profile According to Schnell, 40 seconds of revenue for several months. Suppliers consists of four inches of gravel, four running the system results in the same did need 'a little' convincing to set up inches of processed sand and five inch- moisture content as that achieved in accounts." es of a sandy loam infield mix. This has 10 minutes with a hand held hose. Schnell's previous connections in all been incorporated with a soil condi- Still, for that edge of perfection, they the industry helped with that convinc- tioner and red brick dust. do hand irrigate prior to games. ing. After earning a degree in agricul- "HOK of Kansas City handled the Schnell says, "In order to keep the tural plant pathology with a minor in design and construction. Chuck Dixon skinned area profile firm, rolling is as management from Central Missouri of Turf Diagnostics and Design, important as nail dragging. We concen-

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According to Schnell, the SubAir system also can extract any toxic levels of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide and replace them with air without the surface damage that typically results from conventional aeration with tining machines. Maintenance Schnell begins the field maintenance program in March with tissue, soil and soil-gas testing ---:-which serves as the basis for the preseason maintenance activities. Dr. David W. York, of Tournament Turf Laboratories Inc., Valencia, Pa., conducts the tissue testing every two weeks and the soil testing every four weeks. Soil-gas testing is conducted every two weeks by David Potts of SubAir From left to right, Neal Pate and Will Schnell drag hose while Kevin Johns Analytical Services, Deep River, Conn. sprays the infield. Schnell says, "Soil gas is analyzed by trate on nail dragging the top three will minimize tarping in all but the pumping a soil-gas sample directly inches to keep the soil conditioner, most extreme conditions." from the rootzone pore space via a sub- surface probe. The gas sample is then brick dust and sandy loam material "In the pressure mode, the system analyzed with an infra-red analyzer loose and well blended. allows us to moderate excessively for concentration of oxygen, carbon "Floatboarding is performed in warm or cool soil temperatures. We're dioxide, methane and hydrogen sul- varying directions to maintain a level currently able to manipulate soil tem- fide. When oxygen drops below 20 per- playing surface. A screen drag is then peratures by 8 to 12 degrees. We'll be cent and/or toxic gases are detected utilized to remove any foreign or over- adding a heat exchange unit in mid- above 0.5 percent, the SubAir system size material. This is repeated in vary- March and plan to bring soil tempera- is run." ing directions until a satisfactory firm tures to the 65 to 70 degree range and Keeping that scientific approach surface is achieved. A quick rolling keep them there during the early always in the forefront, Schnell tracks typically is followed with a repeat spring. The turf should be in prime dragging. Water is applied to the shape for our April opener." continued on page 10 infield throughout the day until the necessary moisture content is achieved." Beam Clay Pitchers Mound Mix is used both on the pitcher's mound and home plate. Schnell says, "These areas are covered with red brick dust to match the infield color. When these areas are not in use, we cover them with AstroTurf and tarps to help maintain optimum moisture content. The mounds and home plate are worked every day after games. This consists of both hand and pan tamping, which helps maintain the proper shape and height." A SubAir system was added in the fall of 1996. It connects to the main drain line. Schnell says, "This system can completely exchange the gases in the rootzone pore space with air in approximately 15 minutes. In the vacuum mode, the system has doubled or tripled our gravity percolation rate across the field. We've even observed an increase in percolation rate in the heavier infield dirt. We hope that this A large crowd was on hand for Opening Day at Dodd Stadium.

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Pro Dfarrrorrd spring and early in the fall. Solid tin- interface. Crews also ensure that the continued from page 9 ing takes place once a month during edges remain straight and clearly turf progress through these detailed the growing season. Wear and high defined through weekly maintenance test records and bases all inputs on traffic areas are tined before and after with a string line and power edger. precise needs. He constantly adjusts each home game. Pregerminated Schnell says, "Field maintenance at the fertility program according to cur- perennial ryegrass and a 90-10 top- optimum levels is complex. The secret rent data, making a liquid application dressing mix of material that precise- is to surround yourself with the best every seven to ten days, augmented by ly matches the soil profile is then people possible and don't be afraid to a slower release granular application spread and dragged in. ask questions of anyone." every three to four weeks. In early September,' the field A Crew of the Best receives verti-slice seeding with the He monitors the plant, soil-nutri- His personal team of "best people" four premium varieties of bluegrasses. ent levels, soil-moisture content, soil includes Vince Patterozzi, his former Deep aeration with nine-inch solid temperature and soil-gas concentra- boss at the Cleveland Browns, whose tines is followed by rolling to insure a- tions for a clear picture of the turf- "unofficial" seminars on turf care were grass growth environment. level finish. so inspiring that Schnell says, "We Schnell says, "The SubAir 200 The turf is mowed to 15/16 inch were ready to grow grass on the horsepower blower moves air at rates every day during home stands; every moon." He gives similar accolades on of 20,000 cubic feet per minute. With other day when the team is on the skinned-area care to Murray Cook, it, we have the ability to control any of road. The outfield is cut with a reel who he worked with at the facility of these variables, ultimately resulting gang mower and the infield with a 26- the Harrisburg Senators. Schnell in a healthier plant. So, while we can't inch walk-behind greens mower. says, "I'm so grateful for both of these control the sunlight, we can pull its Schnell says, "We change mowing pat- guys. They have a wealth of knowl- heat into the soil profile by running terns for each homestand. This not edge and are so willing to share it." the vacuum briefly during the only prevents wear and compaction Then there's the Dodd Stadium warmest part of the day. We can also and increases aesthetic appeal, it also resource team: Dixon for soils, York pull the dew from the skinned area gives crews the opportunity to show- for plant tissue analysis, and Potts for surface. We can inject cool water case their creativity." gas analysis. through the 16-inch main drain line to Turf edges are cleaned with leaf Schnell is quick to call attention to lower soil temperatures." rakes after every game and washed another top team - his staff. Within Hollow tine aeration and core with a one-inch water hose after removal are conducted both late in the each home stand to keep a smooth continued on page 13

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Pro Diam.ond education, internships from local uni- As the Beam Clay Award confirms, continued from page 10 versity turf programs and a genuine the field and Will Schnell's program two weeks of arriving at Dodd commitment to a scientific approach to are also a terrific "training ground" for Stadium, he hired Chris Powell for the field maintenance have helped us to sports turf managers. 0 assistant groundskeeper and stadium maximize use and minimize damage maintenance position. Soon Rick Izzo to our field. A professional quality sur- Bob Tracinski is the manager of also joined the full-time staff. Both of face promotes player development and public relations for the John Deere these men had worked with Schnell provides an ideal arena to showcase for Vince Patterozzi at the Cleveland Company in Raleigh, N.C., and public Browns. When, after the first year, up-and-coming talent for the World relations co-chair for the national Powell moved on to a position with the Champion New York Yankees." Sports Turf Managers Association. Kansas City Chiefs, Neal Pate, who had been an intern with the Browns when he was a student at the University of Missouri, moved into the assistant groundskeeper position. Pate has since taken a position with ~tlm ?!!Ittf~r&t/4? tlltlt&t/It~tl The Disney World Sports Complex in Florida and Izzo has moved back to Cleveland. dt 1998-1997 It'INlt!rlpJat Kevin Johns now has head stadium-maintenance responsibilities. Tim Clapp is a seasonal full-time employee BEAM CLAY® BASEBALL DIAMOND who is also taking turf classes, and Tim O'Connor, from the University of of the YEAR AWARDS Massachusetts, is the seasonal intern. The part-time crew rotates assign------+------ments, with two people coming in at 5 p.m. on game days to work through PROFESSIONAL the end of the game. This crew THOMAS J. DODD MEMORIAL STADIUM includes: Tim McClaughlin, Pete Norwich (CT) Navigators Slocum, Pat Coleman, Ron Johnson, Bill Slocum, Brad Comeau, Mike COLLEGE Balser, Frank Campbell, Ken Daniewicz, Tom Montgomery, and MARK LIGHT STADIUM Zach Schnit. Universityof Miami Schnell praises the ability of this crew to keep the field in top condition SCHOOL, MUNICIPAL, OR PARK for the packed schedule. In 1996, that included 93 games - 71 AA, 12 Big ATHLETIC PARK East and 10 high profile games for Wausau, Wisconsin local teams. Added to this were three concerts - the Beach Boys, Sawyer Brown and Kids J am an The BEAM CLAY® Baseball Diamond of the Year Awards are sponsored by "Octoberfest" celebration held in the BEAM CLAY~ the Sports Turf Manager's Association, and sportsTurf Magazine stadium concourse and on the field, to honor excellence and professionalism in maintaining outstanding, and the Sports Turf Managers safe, professional quality baseball diamonds. Winners are selected by a special awards committee of major league head grounds~eepers. Association of New England's hands- on field day. This year's judges were (AL-EAST) Joe Mooney, Boston Red Sox; "Although the field is our number (AL-WEST) Tom Burns, Texas Rangers; (NL-CENTRAL) Barry Foley, Pittsburgh Pirates; (NL-CENTRAL) Steve Peeler, St. Louis Cardinals. one priority, my staff also is responsi- ble for the upkeep and maintenance of For more information, call: a 7,000 capacity stadium, its 18 luxu- ry skyboxes, a 2,500-space parking lot and the remaining 25 acres of this complex," says Schnell. "Both the team and the city believe it's important to host extra events to ~JU, THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE sports,URf promote the facility and enhance com- Manager's ~iation , , SINCE 1922 magazl(')e munity good will. Communication 800/247..BEAM 712/366-2669 619/nO-4370 between my staff, the coaches, players 908/637-4191 and front-office staff is essential." Schnell adds, "Continuing employee

March 1997 13