Aerial view of the renovated Genoa High School baseball diamond, horne of the Cornets. By Bob Tracinski iiii••• ~ The Cornets, pictured here at Three Rivers an a graffiti-covered, weed-infest- Stadium during a high ed, worn-out baseball diamond school tournament, be converted into a "Field of pitch in on field C maintenance at Dreams?" The answer, at least for Genoa Genoa High. High School in Genoa, OH, is yes, with (Below) The field's the right attitude. skinned areas and Positive attitude was the driving mound were rebuilt force behind coach Jeff Thompson's two- with a mix designed to resemble red phase, dream renovation plan. That Georgia clay. same attitude launched a community-wide program that turned the baseball field areas were rock-hard, crusted, at Genoa High School into the 1993 and filled with weeds. Weeds High School Diamond of the Year. also climbed halfway up the Thompson was deeply committed to fences and crowded out the few Genoa and its baseball program. He'd tufts of live grass in the infield been the assistant varsity coach at the and outfield sections. The dugouts school for seven years. When varsity and scoreboard were covered coach Bob Baird resigned in 1990 after with profane graffiti. 25 years in the position, Thompson Blueprint For A Rebuilder stepped up to the challenge. Thompson well-understood the con- Blue Jays and played two seasons in the And what a challenge it was. nection between a quality field and qual- minor league. Although the field was well-con- ity play. He's played baseball for most of structed initially in 1976 and Baird had his life, beginning with Little League. In addition to putting in hours on kept it in good shape, there came a sea- Thompson attended the College of South the field as a player, Thompson started son where circumstances combined to cut Idaho, a junior college, and then moved working part-time during his sopho- off field care for a full summer and fall. on to Mercer in Macon, GA, a four-year more year in high school for Paul Riser, Even with sod only a couple of years old Division I school, where he played then-recreation director for the Oregon at the time, an extremely dry season, baseball for 3-1/2 years. He was drafted Recreation Department. Riser assigned hordes of turf-eating insects, and exten- in his junior year by the Baltimore Thompson to the tasks offield building sive vandalism reduced the field to a near- Orioles, but opted to complete his senior and maintenance. ly unplayable eyesore. The skinned year. He was then drafted by the Toronto continued on page 18 16 sporfsTURF Diam.ond of the Year The Plan continued from page 16 After assessing the condition of the "I worked on fields part-time for field, Thompson approached Athletic nearly 15 years," says Thompson. "Riser Director Jeff Bunck with a two-phase plan provided me with hands-on training in to ensure player safety and protect the the basics offield construction and main- school district's investment in the field. tenance, and the opportunity to see the Phase I included basic clean-up and way quality fields affect play and play- field reconstruction. Since the infield er safety." would have to be torn up, Phase I includ- After being cut by the Blue Jays, ed an underground irrigation system Thompson moved on to a teaching and for that area. coaching position with the Genoa School Phase II called for adding green mesh District. As a certified teacher in physi- to the outfield fence for better visibility and greater field definition, and artifi- cal education and health, and with guid- cial turf in front of the dugouts and for ance counselor credentials, Thompson the on-deck circles. These steps have has filled varying slots with the schools. been completed. For four years, he taught physical education Comet's coach Jeff Thompson (left) Still to come in Phase II are a new at the kindergarten to sixth-grade levels. with Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland. scoreboard for left center field, a two-story For another four years, he taught phys- press box/concession stand combination ical education at the high school and to be located behind home plate, an served as a part-time counselor at the strengthens the connection when the underground irrigation system in the out- junior high. Currently, he's teaching idea of going out for baseball first hits. field, and a warning track. physical education to seventh and eighth Thompson encourages that early con- Bunck took the plan to the school graders at the junior high, tenth graders nection by holding pitching and catching administration and to the school'sboosters at the high school, ana. counseling when to get the ball rolling. When current camps for youngsters in grades four he can work it into his schedule. Athletic Director Dennis Spisak came through eight. This system-wide activity These moves within the system have on board, he continued to give full support benefitted the baseball program, Thompson also makes him a well-known figure in the to the program. observes. While it's "cool"for the younger community and showcaseshis commitment People were skeptical when Thompson kids to have a coach as a teacher, it also to a quality program for student athletes. first proposed the two-phase plan. The
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·18 sporfsTURF Circle 110 on Postage Free Card Circle 111 on Postage Free Card original outlay of dollars sounded expen- with Thompson each step of the way. equal to a five-foot radius around the sive, but the idea of saving money with Once the excavation was completed, the mound, and a two-foot radius around a lower long-term budget and reduced irrigation system was installed and the home plate. The field was fertilized and liability exposure were strong selling soil was brought back and graded with a then topdressed with a layer of clean points. Once the original concept was sold, Ivinch to 100-foot slope. straw to discourage hungry birds that there was nothing but positive response The weeds and remaining grass in gather in the area. from the entire school system and the outfield were chemically eliminated At that point, fall weather turned surrounding community. and low spots were filled. Then, both wintery so quickly that Thompson real- Looking ahead, the Board of Education the infield and outfield were overseeded ized it would take the entire next year to decided to run a four-inch water line from with approximately 200 pounds of Scott's get the turf established. Again, looking to the school to the field to supply water to Pro-Turf Mix, a combination of blue- the future, the administration and student the football, softball, and track com- grass and perennial ryegrass varieties. To athletes accepted the decision and agreed plex, rather than attempt to continue oper- keep as even a surface as possible and avoid to a full year of "away" games. ating the existing well system. The new ridges, Thompson left an unseeded area continued on page 20 pipe is sufficient to support the infield and projected outfield irrigation sys- tems, as well as supply water for the ath- letes, and may eventually support the water needs of a stadium - still in the "dream" stages. This all fits into the plan Thompson was working hard to sell, a plan that was, in essence, an investment in the future. The athletic director, athletic depart- ment, and boosters agreed to fund an infield underground irrigation system using Toro 700 series rotary pop-up heads. Costs were split equally between the athletic department and boosters. Assistant coaches Keith Belcik and Gary Nissen also share Thompson's com- mitment to the field. Belcik and Thompson have known each other since kinder- garten and played baseball together throughout their school years. Belcik played at the professional level for two years with the New York Mets farm club. Nissen, a graduate of Malone College in Now the monster gees Ohio, is a Genoa High alumnus and was the team's starting pitcher as a senior in even deeper - 24 inches. 1988. He lives directly across from the Nothing else even comes close. school, so he ends up as the "prime mon- itor" of the irrigation system. Even Steven Spielberg couldn't dream up a more Putting It Together piercing scenario for knifing through turf ...introducing When the field was initially con- the Mode140S.2S0 Veni-Drain~ 0 other machine structed in 1976, an underlying tile goes this deep and heave the turf forward cracking drainage system with a stone and sand the sidewalls of the core hole making it easier for air base was installed. This tile system runs and water to penetrate. So if you have to go deep, look beneath the field with extensions to a to Verti-Drain to get you there. neighborhood creek for controlled removal . of excess water. Because of this system, field drainage is excellent. In the fall of 1991, the field's existing infield soil was removed and trenches were put in for the irrigation system. Pedestrian Model- The four-inch pipe from the school to 6 inches deep
the field and a two-inch line to the outfield Verti-Seed will be used to operate a water wheel until Overseeder VERTI·DRAIN® the Phase II outfield irrigation system can Works like a pitchfork, only better. be installed. Don Williams, a Genoa High Emrex, Inc., Box 1349, King ton, P 18704 (717) 288-9360 graduate and owner of DW Greenlawn, handled the renovation, working closely
Circle 112 on Postage Free Card May 1994 19 Diamond of the Year The skinned areas are now practical, projects, and to team mothers and fathers, continued from page 19 as well as aesthetically pleasing. "We boosters, alumni, players, and other vol- can walk across the skinned areas after unteers who showed up in force to tack- Thompson and Chris Mathews, a a downpour of rain with no mix sticking le the "grunt work," such as removing the former Genoa High baseball player and to the bottoms of our shoes," Thompson sod cut away from the mound, home- current trainer for the Ohio State enthuses. "A quick raking gets the areas plate, and base areas. The entire com- University football teams, directed the final back in playable condition. We only had munity wants its kids to play on a Class stages of renovation. "Chris is as picky as one cancellation in the 1992-1993 season, A program field. With such an outflow of I am," says Thompson. and that was because of an all-day rain volunteers at all stages of the renovation, For the precise dimensions of cut-outs that continued through game time. labors costs were low. And, because the around the mound, home plate, and the ''Prior to renovation, the field had a dirt whole community considers it "their" bases, Thompson had contacted the perimeter with a grassed infield," he field, there's been no more graffiti. Columbus Clippers, the Yankees farm club. continues. "It took a tractor, rakes, and Maintenance Routine They wanted to create an infield look topdressing sand to get the skinned area The 1992-1993 season was the first year similar to that of Three Rivers Stadium ready for play prior to each game. Because for play on the renovated field. The spring in Pittsburgh. The crew used a sod cut- our home-team players had to pitch in on season opens as soon in early March as ter to slice out an 18-x-18-inch square at the pre-game maintenance, the visiting the weather permits, and play continues angles to the pitcher's mound first, from team players, who started the game throughout August. There are approxi- the pitcher's mound to second, and from fresh, had a definite advantage. Now, mately 50 baseball games played during the pitcher's mound to third to make up it's 'rake and play,' or even easier when this period. Once school gets back in full the diamond look. They rebuilt the mound the skinned sections are tarped." swing in the fall, Thompson and staff and home plate area, again measuring pre- The white limestone that always begin preparing the field for winter. cisely and shaping with native soil. Then tracked into the dugouts and onto the field After the first year of play on the they topped off these skinned areas and was removed. Cement was poured in its young field and a record bad winter, bullpens with a fine red crushed brick dust placed and artificial turf was placed on top. snow mold appeared at the start of the sea- and sand mixtures, which has the look of Artificial turf also replaced the rock in the son. Spot fungicide treatments cleared it Georgia clay. They set the Hollywood on-deck circles. up quickly. bases next for first, second, and third. There Thompson extends special thanks to Thompson has adopted a fertiliza- are no ridges, only smooth and even Vo-Ag teacher Jim Henline and his class, tion program based on the results of grass lines. who have pitched in to help with various an annual soil test. The first season While You Were Out To Lunch ... So Was He. \\
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20 sports TURF Circle 113 on Postage Free Card program included a spring starter, a the scoreboard and press box are in place, for the ball games during the first year," summer general purpose application, Thompson plans to cement the areas he says. ''We've established different lev- and a late-fall winterizer. Urea was behind the backstop and dugouts to elim- els of donations, designated as RBI, sin- applied as needed for a quick boost of inate even this need for weed control. A gle, double, triple, and grand slam. We'll nitrogen. Surrounding areas that aren't string trimmer is used as necessary on acknowledge those who have given sup- maintained make spring preemergence weeds in the "chemical-free" zone. port by listing them under the appro- herbicide application necessary. The bullpens and five skinned areas on priate category on a permanent, plexiglass- Genoa is located 15 miles east of the field are edged and manicured as covered billboard attached to the press box. Toledo. Because the weather is unpre- needed. Each day, the home plate batter's "Our immediate goal is to host the dictable, changing quickly and drasti- box and pitcher's mound are tamped and Ohio state districts and regionals at our cally through ''lake effects," maintenance the artificial turf of the on-deck circles and complex by 1995," he concludes. "But timing must be flexible. areas in front of the dugouts is swept. the greatest achievement for the whole Since aeration equipment must be Thompson also maintains a plot of community well be the sense of pride rented, core aeration is done once a year replacement sod on a section of farm- and life-long memories that playing on a for all fields. The cores are mat-dragged land provided by a student's parent. This top-notch field will give our athletes." 0 back into the soil profile. plot was started at the same time as the Editor'sNote:Bob Tracinski is the manager Currently, a rotary rider mower is field renovation, using the same seed of public relations for the John Deere used one to three times a week to keep the and maintenance practices. The plot con- Company in Raleigh, NC, and public infield turf cut "a shade" under two inch- tinues to receive the same care as the field. relations chairman for the national Sports es. The outfield field turf is cut at two to Money remains tight, and more is Turf Managers Association. 2-112inches. Clippings are usually left on needed for completing Phase II. The field The Beam Clay Baseball Diamond the field, but the mower can vacuum belongs to the high school and the com- of the Year Award is sponsored jointly and catch ifnecessary. Still another goal munity itself, Thompson asserts, and by Beam Clay, the Sports Turf Managers for the athletic department is to switch can be viewed as an asset for both the com- Association, and sportsTURF magazine to a reel mower, but that probably in munity and its children. He adds that while in recognition of excellence and pro- the yet-to-be-defined Stage III. they're asking everyone to participate fessionalism in maintaining safe, To keep weed control at a minimum, financially, this is a "one-time deal," and professional-quality diamonds. Winning a soil sterilant is used inthe stone sections that they don't want people to feel they'll diamonds are named in the professional, around the fence lines and behind the back- be asked to contribute every year. college,and high school/municipal/park drop and dugouts, keeping the material "All contributors receive a thank-you categories. two to three feet away from the grass. After letter and their names in the programs continued on page 22
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Circle 114 on Postage Free Card May 1994 21 Diamond of the Year, continued from page 21 ABOUT THE JUDGES very year, four judges from the ranks of Major League Baseball groundskeeping carefully review Diamond ofthe Year entries from around the country to select winners in the professional, Ecollege, and high school/municipal categories. To reach their decisions, the judges review pho- tographs and written descriptions, including the history and maintenance practices of each field. Selecting Diamond of the Year winners is a labor of love. It's time-consuming pursuit conducted THE PROFESSIONAL'S CHOICE by four different, top-notch professionals, representing Major League Baseball's four divisions each year. . . . SINCE 1922 Here's a look at this year's judges . USED BY OVER 75 PRO TEAMS, OVER 300 COLLEGES, PLUS TOWNS Tom Lujan, Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO - National League West & SCHOOLS ACROSS THE U.S.A. AND CANADA. SPECIAL MIXES FOR INFIELDS, Home to Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, the National Football League Denver Broncos PITCHER'S MOUNDS & HOME PLATEAREAS. and the Colorado Foxes professional soccer team, Mile High Stadium sees more than its share ofunpre- RED \\ ·\R-"':I-"':C TRA( KS dictable weather each year. Braving it all is Field Manager Tom Lujan, who celebrates his 18th sea- pili' son at the facility this year. Lujan, who tutored under former Mile High Field Manager Steve Red Brit k Du,t S.. Red Ll\ ,1 Duvt 1'F1HD rOP-DRESSIM, Wightman, now with San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, grew up in the Denver area and developed an fRO\1 111'\EH HULl\. LO( \ T/Or'N early interest in field maintenance. After high school, he applied with the Denver Parks and Recreation CONDITIONERS TO IMPROVE Department and was "lucky enough" to be assigned to Mile High Stadium. Gradually, he worked his LOCAL INFIELD MATERIALS: way up the ranks to his current position, where he puts in 70 to 80 hours a week. FOR INFiElDS THAT ARE Lujan considers himself truly fortunate to have worked under Wightman. That early influence led TOO HARD AND DRAIN POORl't! him to seek advice from some of sports turf management's best minds and talents, including Dr. Kent Kurtz, Barney Baron, formerly with Candlestick Park, NFL turf consultant George Toma, the late Harry Gil, STMA founder and long-time Milwaukee Stadium field manager, and more recently Dr. Jim Watson with the Toro Company. The challenge is what attracts Lujan to the job. ''You have to look at the overall schedule for the THE REDDER, LESSDUSTY, MORE UNIFORM SOIL CONDITIONER & DRYING AGENT entire year, and make sure that the field is the best it can be for each event, and that it's ready on time," -"SUPER-RED" FOR INFIELDS he explains. "Working around the weather and events schedule is a real challenge, and 1thrive on that." "SUPER-GREEN" FOR TURF THAT MORE PRO TEAMS ARE USING For those looking to "make the jump" to the big leagues, Lujan suggests first getting an education TO IMPROVE AERATION & DRAINAGE in horticulture. However, he notes, there is no substitute for experience. YET RETAIN MOISTURE IN HOT WEATHER! "Get internships in as many places as you can, and learn about the hands-on part of the job," he FOR INFiElDS THAT ARE advises. "Without the hands-on experience, it's going to be hard to get that top position." TOO SOFT So. DUST\! STABILlZER~ Brian Nofziger, Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA - American League West FOR FIRM, YET RESILIENT,PLAYING SURFACES When the California Angels are playing a home stand, Anaheim Stadium Lead Groundskeeper Brian PLUS TO QUIC Kl't DR't INFiElDS! Nofziger and his crew don't balk at putting in 12- and 13-hour days. During football season, when the Rams call the stadium home, the schedule is less hectic and fewer hours are required. Nofziger started at the stadium full-time in 1973, after getting out ofthe military. During high school, he had worked for the Angels as a bat boy and in the clubhouse, and a friend helped him land a part- time position with the grounds crew in 1972. He worked under head groundskeeper Joe Verdi until Verdi retired and he was promoted. Nofziger cites Verdi as an early mentor, as well as Ray Reyes, who's been with the stadium since it opened, and retired stadium superintendent Don Marshall. He continues to read widely on sports turf management techniques and attends seminars when possible. Changeover from one sport to another poses the greatest challenge for Nofziger. "We had one real
TO RE!\10VE STANDINC WATER! doozy in 1983, when we had David Bowie one week night, a college game on Saturday, the Rams on Sunday, and the Angels on Tuesday night," he recalls. SUPER SOPPER~ WATER REMOVAL MACHINES Sports have always been a part ofNofziger's life, which he sees as a tremendous advantage in is pro- & THE DIAMOND PUMp™ fession. ''You have to really like sports because there are a lot of hours involved with this job," he says. PLUS LEADINC, BASEBAll SUPPLIES For those hopeful professional sports turf managers on the rise, Nofziger recommend heavy doses "0 AT THE BEST PRIC ES NATIONWIDE! (ij of both ''book learning" and on-the-job training. And enthusiasm is a must. o HOllYWOOD~ BASES
22 sporfsTURF Joe Robbieis home ofthe NFL Miami Dolphins and MajorLeague Baseball Florida Marlins. In addi- tion, the venue hosts events from rock concerts to motocross.The pressure, says Sigwardt, is constant. "I think we had four Monday Night Football games here last year," he explains. ''You look at Don Shula and the Dolphins, a class organization, and the Marlins and their owner and coaches, and they're another class organization. There's quite a legacy here at Joe Robbie, and every event is big. Both teams demand the best. The pressure is on us, asa grounds crew, to keep everyone happy. But the best thing about this work is that if you work hard, you can walk out and actually see your accomplishments. Not all jobs are like that." Dedication to the profession, says Sigwardt is the key to success. "The best thing you can do is always ask questions, and look around. It's the same everywhere - the budget, equipment, and sup- plies aren't there. When you're fighting your way up, you have to overcome those odds. If you want to sit around and make excuses why the fieldisn't in shape, you'llnever make it. In terms of supplies, budget, staff and equipment, it gets a little easier at this level. But then, there's a lot more pressure." Gary Vandenberg, Milwaukee County Stadium Milwaukee, WI - American League East Gary Vandenberg, director of grounds for Milwaukee County Stadium, didn't start out as a sports turfmanager. Beforejoining the crewin 1981, he worked as a golf course superintendent. Vandenberg holds a bachelor's degree in soilscience from the University ofWisconsin at Fond Du Lac. At Milwaukee County Stadium, Vandenberg worked under head groundskeeper Harry Gil for Your grounds crews nearly 10years, and credits Gilfor showinghim "the ropes" ofbaseball field maintenance. As an assis- can do more with an affordable tant golf course superintendent, he recalls, he learned under the tutelage ofsuperintendent John Millcreek Topdresser. Zahn before becoming a superintendent himself. Vandenberg became director of grounds in The Millcreek Topdresser helps crews get more spreading tasks done in shorter 1991. When the Milwaukee Brewers baseball time with less manpower, and lets them do more kinds of jobs than ever team is in town, he and his crew put in 80 to 100 before. One college reduced a four-man crew to one spreading infield mix hours a week on the field.The venue also hosts four on baseball fields. A municipality now grows better athletic field NFL Green Bay Packer games, in addition to turf by topdressing, something they couldn't concerts and other events. previously afford. "The biggest challenge, day-in and day-out, is \ The Millcreek 75TD is built for year after year the weather," says Vandenberg. ''You might have of rugged, trouble-free performance. rain coming in, and the umpires will be wonder- It spreads compost, sand and peat ing what to do, the managers will be wondering topdressing, grass clippings, wood chips whether or not to warm up their pitchers, and every- and more. The synthetic floor will never body will be looking to you for answers." rust or rot, and all parts are guaranteed. Vandenberg professes a passion for baseball, Your crews will get more done - and do which makes his job ideal. "Since I was never good a better job - with an affordable Millcreek Topdresser. Call today for a free video. enough to play it, the next best thing is watching it," he admits. "I never get tired ofwatching base- ball, which is a good thing in this business." SEE US AT EXPO '94 BOOTH #649 Desire is one of the main roads to becoming a Patented Spreading Action successful sports turf manager at the profes- Millcreek's patented IPowerBrush" action sionallevel, Vandenberg observes. l'You've got to and adjustable directional fins enable you to be patient, persistent, and you have to put in spread almost any flowable material in paths from 3' to 10' wide. A single operator needs your time," he emphasizes. "And you've also got no tools for safe, easy adjustments. PTO or to be a little lucky." 0 ______....J engine-drive. 2 cu. yd. capacity. 1-800-879-6507 - Matthew Trulio Dealer inquiries invited.
Circle 117 on Postage Free Card May 1994 23