1991 Man of the Year: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Man By Holly Gibson t was a dark and stormy night that For the last 25 years, Toma has been For nearly a month, Toma moved to sent most of Kansas City's masses the turf man to call when you've run out San Francisco to work with Barney Iindoors for cover. At Royals Stadium, of options. Whether he gets it from his Barron, then director of parks and recre- business continued as usual. The bright head, his heart or his back pocket, Toma ation, to revitalize the field. In addi- stadium lights illuminated the inces- manages to perform miracles. For Toma, tion to reviving the playing surface, he sant rain that was beginning to fall in it's all about sticking up for your fellow tried to lift the grounds crew's flagging sheets. groundskeepers and helping them out of spirits. The bad publicity concerning The pitcher twisted in strange con- jams. Toma accepted the 1992 Golf & the stadium had left them demoralized. tortions as he sought a dry spot on his SportsTURF Man of the Year Award Toma discovered the field's problem jersey. The umpire finally gave in, sig- not just for himself, but for all the was a poor interface between the turf and naling the start of a rain delay. groundskeepers caring for everything from sand base. He ripped up the turf and Even faster than the players scam- elementary ball diamonds to profes- applied a layer of Enkamat, a water-per- pered off the field, the Royals grounds sional stadiums. He said he owes a debt meable layer of geomatrix. The Enkamat crew sprinted into action. The sound of gratitude to the late Harry Gill, who helped stabilize the turf on the sand system blared Bruce Springsteen's "Cover founded the Sports Turf Managers base. Association so groundskeepers could Me" as the crew rolled out the tarp. He used about 1,000 square yards share ideas. George Toma, head groundskeeper, of Hawaiian kikuyugrass sod cut 2-inch- One of Toma's greatest achievements worked alongside his crew, barked orders es thick in 18-inch-by-36-inch rectangles. was transforming Candlestick Park in like a field commander. Toma wasn't After sodding, he used a solid-tine aer- San Francisco from an unplayable bog about to let his carefully groomed infield ator to punch the turf. Then, he top- into a first-class field. Perched on the edge be ruined by a mere rainstorm. dressed with Turface. of San Francisco Bay, Candlestick Park Less than 60 seconds later, the tarp is one of the toughest parks to try to grow As the turf began to come around, so covered the infield. The crowd clustered grass. The icy wind, regular fog and did the grounds crew. There was perk in under the stadium overhangs cheered the salty spray exacerbate any groundskeep- their step. When the grounds' crew crew's efforts. Toma didn't take time to ing mistake. removed the tarp before the first play- bask in the glory of the moment. Instead, In 1981, record rainfall and poor off game, the crowd cheered the immac- he marched the tarp, supervising the drainage left the 4gers facing a home play- ulate field, Toma recalled. That further placement of the sandbags that hold it off game on a questionable surface. bolstered the crew. down. A John Deere AMT slowly circled Toma was the NFL's consultant for After two playoff games without a as crew members tossed out sandbags at playing fields, so he was called in to hitch, people began calling Toma the even intervals. The operation ran like a help. Sod God. Then San Francisco Mayor Desert Storm maneuver. Every step was efficiently executed. Once everything was secured, the crew ran for shelter in the dugout. Toma was alone on the tarp with his hands on his hips. Ignoring the pelting rain that pasted down his salt-and-pepper hair, he walked the perimeter. With the detail of a drill sergeant, he inspected every inch. Occasionally, he summoned his assistant, Trevor Vance, to make adjustments. Only when he was satisfied with the tarp did he go into the dugout. Saving the Day Coming to the rescue has become routine work for George Toma during the course of his 45-year career. While oth- ers fret over the unpredictability of sports turf maintenance, Toma thrives on it. The larger the problem, the more Toma's eyes twinkle. Tell him the situ- ation is hopeless, and he'll be on the next plane to tackle the problem. Toma and crew wetting infield during game preparation.

18 Golf & sporfsTURF his wing. He showed Toma the right way to drag the infield. In exchange for a free ticket to the game, Toma pre- pared the infield for play. To~a didn't give much thought to the future. He was in sports heaven. Not only did he get into games for free, but he also got to be out working on the field. Destiny struck in the form of the late Bill Veeck. When Veeck bought the Cleveland Indians in 1946, he came to Pennsylvania to reorganize the Barons. He saw something in 17-year-old Toma and named him head groundskeeper. Scheckler became the team trainer and bus driver. Toma threw himself into his new job. Ifhe needed equipment, he found some- place to borrow it. His mother and uncle encouraged him to do his best. His mom Toma with relief pitchers Steve Crawford, Mike Magnante, and Jeff Montgomery (L to R). even brought his lunch to the stadium. The young groundskeeper learned Dianne Feinstein tried to woo him to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Man From through trial and error. ''I didn't know how city by the bay. Pennsylvania far this thing (groundskeeping) would go," Toma said. Toma was content to return to his No matter how long the list ofToma's home base in America's heartland. From accomplishments grows, he still likes to Cleveland's highly respected there, he is free to take off anywhere and tell people he is the nitty gritty dirt groundskeeper Emil Bossard became solve sports turf problems. man. He takes pride in how far he has Toma's mentor. In 1948, he took Toma "I think he is a magician when it come from humble beginnings. with him to build two baseball fields for minor league teams in Driver, Va. A comes to emergency repairs on football Sports were born in Toma's blood. fields," said Jim Watson, an agronomist year later, they constructed two fields in As a poor youngster growing up in the Marianna, Fla. In 1950, they put in five and vice president of The Toro Company. shadow of Pennsylvania's coal mines, he "He has total confidence in his ability to fields in Daytona Beach, Fla. Three win- was a small, scrappy athlete. Although ters of installing baseball fields followed make repairs and affect a change. He has he never grew more than 5-5, he made courage to go ahead and do it. by summers of jield maintenance were the most of the talent he had. He played a crash course in sports field management. "He's sometimes controversial but football all winter and baseball all sum- "It's an experience that everyone you have to look at the bottom line. The mer. When there wasn't money for prop- should have. Anyone who has a major man has enhanced the image of the er equipment, Toma improvised. He league job should know what it's like to groundskeeper. You can't argue with even made his own baseball gloves. be in a minor league job," Toma said. success." Toma never learned the word im possi- Groundskeeping had to take a back ble. Toma and Watson worked together in seat when Toma was drafted into the one of the hottest spotlights a When the neighborhood kids didn't Army in 1950 during the Korean War. His groundskeeper can be placed under. It have a proper baseball diamond, he leadership skills gained him the rank of was 1984 just before the Olympic Games built his own field of dreams on a spare sergeant first class. were to be played in Los Angeles. The patch of dirt in the backyard. "As a kid, Upon returning to civilian life, Toma's Rose Bowl in Pasadena was the sched- . I used to build pitching mounds in the career resembled that of a minor league uled site for Olympic soccer tourna- backyard. I would take an old bedspring ballplayer. He drifted from team to team ment, but it was deemed unplayable by and pull it around to level off the infield. on the east coast, proving his skills on a members of the Olympic Organizing I took some hayseed from the barn to seed series of fields and hoping for a chance Committee. They called Toma. By work- the outfield. The lines were white ash left with a major league team. In 1957, his ing day and night with pregerminated over from the black coal burning," Toma call came. Both the New York Yankees seed and extra fertilizer, Toma was able recalled with a chuckle. and the Kansas City Athletics wanted to present the Olympic Committee with Money came hard in Toma's family, him. The Yankees planned for him to start a first-class field. When the world so there weren't many chances for a on their minor league team in Denver watched the Olympic soccer games, the young boy to see the local minor league before coming to the house that Ruth built. natural grass field was its own ambas- team, the Class A Eastern League Charlie Finley was prepared to sign sador. Wilkes- Barre Barons, play ball. That on Toma to take care of Kansas City's old "When you have a bad natural grass didn't stop Toma from hanging around Municipal Stadium. field, it's a good advertisement for arti- the field. Stanley Scheckler, the Baron's Municipal Stadium was known ficial turf," Toma said. groundskeeper took the teen-ager under continued on page 20 January, 1992 19 Man Of The Year ball team to town. Rather than offend- continued from page 19 ing Hunt, the episode secured Toma's foot- ball future. Hunt said ifthe groundskeep- through out the league as the worst er is that tough, I want him working for field. Toma's mentor Bossard suggested me, Toma recalled. he avoid Kansas City. Toma decided to When the first game was see for himself. On Labor Day 1957, he scheduled for Los Angeles Coliseum, visited the notorious field. There were so the NFL hired Toma to prepare and many weeds in the turf that the players paint the field. They were so pleased with would pull out weeds before they took his work that Toma has been the man at their positions, Toma recalled. the Super Bowl ever since. In 1972, he "It was bad. I said to myself, 'George, became the NFL's playing field consul- if you mess up this field, no one will tant and took on responsibility for the Pro notice.'" Bowl as well. Toma decided to take the position in In 1968, the Athletics moved to Kansas City. It turned out to be even more • Breaks up cores • Works in seed Oakland. A year later, the Kansas City • Prepares seedbeds • Saves hard work than he bargained to take on. There Royals expansion franchise signed on The proven low cost way to keep golf was no irrigation system to help battle Toma to take care of their field. Herk courses, athletic fields, ball diamonds, and summer temperatures in the 90s. Instead, all turf areas in top condition. Crumbles Robinson, Royals general manager, he dragged hoses around trying to dis- and scatters cores without clogging, came on board six months after Toma. tribute water evenly. The tarp was made brings up thatch, prepares seedbed The groundskeeper's loyalty to the Royals without disrupting existing growth. Aerates from canvas, and Toma swears it weighed organization has been special, he said. to stimulate growth, scarifies to improve 2,000 pounds. moisture penetration. No maintenance. "The pride in what he does is tremen- A year of frustration had Toma shak- Maintains cinder tracks. 4 to 42 It. width. dous. He's a relentless worker," said ing his head, but not giving up. Adjustable penetration. No maintenance. Robinson. Satisfaction guaranteed. "Sometimes you have to take a step For FREE literature, testimonials, prices call back before you go forward," he said. Father and Son 1-800-435-9630 (in IL call 217-784-4266) or write: Consulting with Dr. Jim Watson, an The life of a professional groundskeep- agronomist, helped him devise a program er left little time for family. It was not ¢~~~ to turn around the turf. He decided to unusual for Toma to be at the ballpark P.O. Box 427 GS Gibson City, IL 60936 plant common bermudagrass instead past midnight. One of son Chip's earli- Circle 108 on Postage Free Card of Kentucky bluegrass. Kansas City is in est memories is of going to Detroit and the transition zone, so turf managers are running on the field with the Detroit OVER 60 PRO TEAMS constantly wrestling with the advan- Lions. tages and disadvantages of warm season "What I though was glamorous was including grasses versus cool season turf. being around the football and baseball 3 of the 4 "He had some of the worst conditions players and being able to play on the trac- 1991 someone could hope to grow grass in," tor," Chip said of his youth hanging out CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS remembers Watson. at the stadiums. and the Watson introduced Toma to pregerme- When it came time to settle down to nation. It was a match for life. The a regular job, Chip Toma caught on bermudagrass was the first of Toma's with the Chiefs' grounds crew working turnaround successes. "People were for his father. Chip's younger brother, amazed how good it looked," Toma Rick, also served on the grounds crew remembered. before joining-the Army. Rick is cur- Before long, people were saying rently a first lieutenant stationed in Municipal Stadium was the best field in Germany. the league. Toma got along well with the At first, Chip Tomajust thought of the controversial Finley. He took what ever grounds crew as a job to bide his time Finley threw at him in stride whether it before he settled on a career. The more THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE was turning around a field after a rock he worked, the more he concentrated on ... SINCE 1922 concert or tending a zoo on the slopes past making groundskeeping his career. YOUR ONE-STOP SOURCE the outfield. As the son showed an interest, the FOR AMERICP:S In Toma's mind, producing a top- father taught. Toma's values of hard LEADING INFIELD quality field was always priority one. One work and dedication had been instilled SURFACES& SUPPLIES! day in 1963, he was on his hands and since childhood. As Chip worked, Toma knees putting some finishing touches on educated him in the art of groundskeep- WITH DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN the field. A man started to walk across ing. The son doesn't remember receiving ORLANDO (FL) SOUTH BEND (I N) RIPLEY(MS) GREATMEADOWS (NJ) the field. Toma barked at him to get favoritism. RENO (NV) MEMPHIS (TN) off the field. "He expects more out of me. He wants Later, Toma discovered he'd thrown me to do better than everyone else," 800-24;7..BEAM out businessman . Hunt Chip Toma said. 908-63;7..4191 was looking at bringing a professional foot- continued on page 29

Circle 109 on Postage Free Card Field Maintenance continued from page 20 Now, Chip Toma has earned his own place among the ranks of professional sports turf managers. He is in charge of grounds care operations for the , who play at . He and his 'father work togeth- er on the Super Bowl and have their own turf consulting business. Like his father, Chip has an abundance of energy. He is forever doing three things at once. Chip laughs at the com- parison. "We both get antsy very quickly. We're hyper, high-strung people. When you are so much like another person that you are almost a clone, then you are bound not to get along with that person all the time." From the turf beside the outfield fountain at Royals Stadium sit Trevor Vance What father and son have is a mutu- and Toma. al respect for their abilities. "His biggest strength is that he was never scared to men whom 1 have ever known. George "I try to pass the knowledge down to try something he thought would work, has spent his life helping others and help people internationally," Toma said. even if people told him it wouldn't work," expecting nothing in return," said ''Everyone wants to give him a farewell Chip Toma said. Robinson. party," Chip Toma laughs. He can see his For example, when George Toma At 62, Toma sees himself mellowing. father cutting back, but he can't envision looked out over the Super Bowl playing When he was in Berlin a couple of years him retiring totally. field in Tampa last year the night before ago to help prepare the field for a Kansas Toma's blood runs Royals blue. The the game, he didn't like what he saw. He City Chiefs' football exhibition, he let his pull of the stadium is too strong. There ordered his crew to resod the center of wife, Donna, and eight-year-old son, always will be youngsters to teach, the field. They worked through the night Ryan, talk him into visiting the Berlin pitching mounds to perfect and tarps to to get the job done. Wall that was being torn down. As a gen- supervise. 'We were so tired the next day," Chip eral rule, Toma remembers cities more "Like Herk Robinson says, they'll remembered, "but it looked so good." by their stadiums than their tourist bury me in front of the scoreboard," attractions. Toma said. 0 Trevor Vance also helped that night in Tampa. Like Chip Toma, George Toma has been his teacher and mentor. Vance has been his assistant for the last seven years. At first, groundskeep- ing was just a summer job where you got to meet some ballplayers. Then Vance SOIL CONDITIONER & DRYING AGENT became caught up in "Toma Pride." "SUPER·REo" FOR INFIELDS PARTAC® "SUPER·GREEN" FOR TURF GOLF COURSE ''You put a rake or a float in his hands MORE COLORFUL, LESS DUSTY IMPROVES AERATION & DRAINAGE TOP-DRESSING and he's incredible with it. He's such a YET RETAINS NUTRIENTS & MOISTURE! perfectionist. There's only one way to do THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE C@ it and that's the right way," Vance said ... SINCE 1922 AND of George Toma. USED BY OVER 60 PRO TEAMS, F REPAIRS "George is willing to teach anybody. °i~~~g63l~~~~S~~U~E TS.f~s -r:"":"'he-U-'-tim-a-te-So-'-ut-ion-to-U-ns-ig-h-t'y- AND CANADA. SPECIAL MIXES DivotsatTelevisedGoifTournaments ~~~I~~ ~~IIfr'M'fIr/l! Every day 1come here, 1learn something FOR INFIELDS, PITCHER'S nd &-- MOUNDS, HOMEPlATE AREAS & a ot,~r Sports Events! PLUS CONSTRUCTION, from him. He's like another father. 1 RED WARNING TRACKS. CART PATH, SAND TRAP, AND AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE DIVOT REPAIR MIXES feel like I'm getting a degree from George e e Toma," Vance said. 1erra.... 1-800-247-2326 1YPAR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN N.). 908-637-4191 GEOTEXTILES & TURF COVERS Helping and teaching are a way of life for Toma whether it's a high school kid on the grounds crew in Kansas City, a charity in need of a spokesperson or a grounds manager in Japan. Toma wants to help them all. "George is one of the kindest gentle-

Circle 115 on Postage Free Card January, 1992 29