spnl1sTIJRf ~ Munson Stadium Shines as Pro Diamond A combination of art and science turned Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium into a field that can handle virtually any adversity. Photos courtesy: of Year Robert Patt. By Bob Tracinski crack consultant team. And he knew the Royals' Kaufman Stadium and the who had the ability and dedication to Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium, as well as hurman Munson Memorial Sta- deftly combine that science with art to on the incomparable Jacobs Field in dium is a shining example of the create and maintain pro-level quality on Cleveland, home of our Cleveland science and art of sports turf T a daily basis: Kevan Lindsey, field Indians," says Patt. "Munson Field was management melding in a dynamic working partnership. This gem ofthe City foreman for the Canton Recreation specified to replicate the playing surface of Canton, OR, was just selected the Department and now also head at Jacobs Field because ofthe similar geo- 1995-1996 Beam Clay® Professional groundskeeper of Munson Stadium. graphic and climatic conditions, and Diamond of the Year. Patt says, "Prior to reconstruction, a the player development association with The ballfield of Thurman Munson combination of heavy native soil, com- the parent club." Memorial Stadium stood as an oasis of paction, and inadequate underground Lindsey came on board in the head green throughout the 1995 season while drainage made surface drainage a groundskeeper position at the begin- other fields and golf courses around it suf- constant problem. We'd adopted an ning of the renovation project. "We fered tremendous turf damage from the aggressive aeration program, but wanted a groundskeeper who was both searing heat and high humidity. during the summer of 1994, we had ten knowledgeable and conscientious," says Munson field handled the 70 game inches of rainfall in one month and Patt. "Kevan had proven his dedication home schedule of its Canton Indians, the standing water in the outfield. Slitters throughout his ten years with the AA Minor League affiliate of the Cleve- helped drain surface water, but wet Recreation Department, always putting land Indians. Then it stood up to 39 spots persisted. We needed a long-term in the time and effort to get the job amateur games. In all, from April 8 solution." done right." through September 30,1995,109 games Patt Answers Intent on carrying out his philos- were played on the field of the facility In typical fashion, Patt researched ophy, Patt didn't stop there. "If you sur- devoted exclusively to baseball. In addi- reconstruction options "thoroughly." round good people with a good support tion, the Canton Indians held three day- Patt has spent 22 years in city man- team," he says, "you're not going to fail." long baseball camps for area youth. agement positions, and applied those He enlisted the aid of Murray Cook, And this was a field in its first year basic management principles to the field director ofthe West Palm Beach Sta- of play. Reconstruction, which began Munson project. "I exhausted every dium Authority in Florida (and winner on September 30 of 1994, had been avenue I could track down, calling people of the Beam Clay Field of the Year completed just 1 1/2 months later, and asking questions," says Patt. Award for 1993-1994),who served as con- on November 15. The City of Canton selected S.W. sultant and on-site construction manager Robert D. Patt, manager ofthe Canton Franks Construction Company of during the project and continues as part Civic Center and Munson Stadium, Cleveland, OR, for the renovation project. of the consulting team. determined from the outset that field "Franks' reputation for quality work Jamie Heydinger of The O.M. Scott reconstruction and maintenance would was proven in the recently installed Company was on the consulting team be based on the scientific input of a new playing surfaces in Kansas City at from the beginning. Patt says, ''Heydinger 10 sporfsTURF FOR PRODUCT INFO FAXED TO YOU NOW! DIAL: 1(800) 817-1889 basically outlined the maintenance foot centers. The field drains are connected program for the sand rootzone and turf to a perimeter drainage line, which is based on his knowledge of the best connected to the appropriate storm drain programs for our specific site and locations. weather." "The drainage system is covered with In addition, Patt brought in Chuck a three-inch layer of washed gravel. Dixon of Turf Diagnostics and Design, Above this is a nine-inch, blended, Inc., of Olathe, KS, for consultation and rootzone mix of95 percent non-calcareous, on-going soil and tissue analysis. washed, processed (silica) sand, which Dr. David York, of Tournament Turf meets United States Golf Association Laboratories in Vallencia, PA, also (USGA) physical evaluation protocol, conducts turf tissue analysis. and five percent Dakota peat. The turf "The results of this scientific data is a blend of gold tag certified bluegrass are supplied to Heydinger on a monthly sod. The irrigation system consists of 7,100 basis so he can adjust nutrient levels in feet of irrigation pipe connected to a While the infield was being sodded, accordance with plant needs and current 12-zone, 63-head Toro automatic irrigation the nine-inch-deep rootzone for the humidity, irrigation and weather con- system. This system uses a mix of Super outfield was prepared. ditions," says Patt. 700 and 640 series rotary sprinkler change in growth pattern, coloration, or Other participants in Patt's con- heads. apparent vigor. It gave us an extremely sulting team have come through equally "The infield skinned area is a local clay fast action-reaction system." well. He says, "Brandon Koenke, base topped with Tennessee Morie clay Play started the first of April in 1995, groundskeeper for the Cleveland Indians, mix and a blend of Beam Clay red brick and the turf was in great shape. There is always available to help. Paul Bozek dust and Soilmaster. The pitching were some initial problems with the ofNorth Coast Distributing serves as con- mounds and home plate areas are main- clay areas. Winter weather had closed in sultant for the Toro irrigation system, soon after the reconstruction was com- responding immediately to post-instal- pleted, and stayed around for the dura- lation questions and concerns. And the cooperation and flexibility within our own tion. Lindsey says, "The clay area at home plate and the mound drew a lot city team has been outstanding. John Reese, recreation supervisor (and more moisture than we'd anticipated. The Lindsey's immediate supervisor), and sand retained a great deal of moisture during the sudden temperature drop, and Tony Corsi of the Department of Public Works have assisted throughout the this moisture moved up and under the reconstruction and follow-up mainte- tarped clay surfaces. Certain areas of the nance, supplying equipment and base path also drew moisture and entered personnel whenever it was needed. the season wetter - and thus softer - Vince Patterozzi of the Cleveland than we wanted. We ended up replacing Browns helped out with advice and the clay mix in some areas, reworking it equipment, too." in others, to achieve the moisture con- The infield takes shape atop a new tent and texture we wanted." Science is at work in the new Munson drainage system. Field. Patt says, ''The field is constructed With 30 inches of snow by the end of over 7,000 feet of perforated, corru- tained with Beam Clay red mound mix. January 1996, Lindsey prepared for gated, polyethylene drain pipe installed The warning track is crushed red brick some wet clay entering spring. He says, in trenches in the subgrade spaced on 20- supplied by the locally based Belden "Weather permitting, we'll remove the Brick Company." tarps earlier in the season to allow more The Payoff time for air drying before play begins." The second challenge for the first- Did all this scientific analysis pay year field could have been even greater. off? As Lindsey says, "Surface drainage Extended periods of temperatures in on the new field is as natural as water the 90 and 100 degree range combined going down the bathtub drain. With the with extremely high humidity aren't constant input of scientific information, the norm for Cleveland - or cool-season the turf has top growing conditions, turf. Fungus problems devastated area adjusted to meet changing needs. When grasses. But Lindsey's constant obser- you give grass what it needs, when it vation (the art), combined with con- needs it, it pretty much takes care of tinual input from the consulting team (the itself." science), resulted in a full season of This isn't to say a lot of tender, loving good-looking, highly playable turf. care won't help. Patt says, "Kevan Kevan Lindsey, field foreman for the No Shortcuts Canton Recreation Department and practically lived at the field during the now head groundskeeper of Munson reconstruction and that first season. I Management practices also con- Stadium, practically lived at the field think he knew every blade of grass tributed to success. Munson Field has a during the reconstruction. personally. He was on the alert for any continued on page 12 March 1996 11 FOR PRODUCT INFO FAXED TO YOU NOW! DIAL: 1(800) 817-1889 Pro Dfarrrorrd Lindsey says, ''We used a two-prong, Lindsey also works closely with the continued from page 11 step-on aerator to relieve compaction in team's coaching and management staff $90,000 operating budget. Daily the coaches boxes and fungo circles. to fine-tune field maintenance to maintenance equipment includes a ride- We kept applying small amounts of produce the conditions they prefer.