STMA in....ACTION Frontier Pioneers Fresh grass, acquired from 'Batavia "We feel it is important for our fans Turf Farms in 30-inch by 90-foot rolls, to enjoy the game on an all-grass field," Conversion was laid out on fabric covering the says Rhinos Vice President/General What started as a dream ended in infield dirt. Six hours later, the crew Manager Chris Economides. "All successful reality for Frontier Field, completed the job of laying approxi- parties, including Frontier Field and the new multi-purpose stadium in mately 1,550 square yards of grass. the Red Wings, have been enthusiastic downtown Rochester, N.Y., where the The following morning, they placed about this concept, and we look for- very first conversion from a baseball additional grass on the warning track ward to being leaders in this type of field to a professional soccer pitch to finish the 110-by-70-foot soccer stadium field conversion." occurred early this summer. playing surface. The new sod was After each soccer match, the turf is The Rochester Rhinos, one of the watered and then rolled, which leveled rolled back and either sold or donated top-rated teams in A-League profes- the field. Turf lines were marked and to private parties and charities. The sional soccer, share Frontier Field the field was ready for the 6 p.m. life span of the rolled grass is only 24 with the Rochester Red Wings, the match. In less than 24 hours, the con- hours after being pulled from the field, AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. version was complete. so it is immediately carted from the With guidance from STMA member Stadium Director Jim LeBeau, stadium. The pitcher's mound, which Alan Dungey, Frontier Field's facility who was involved in the design, con- is leveled and removed from the field, manager, and Gene Buonomo, Red struction and now the operation of the is rebuilt for the following baseball Wings groundskeeper, the baseball state-of-the-art facility, says, "Frontier game. The conversion from baseball to infield and base paths were sodded Field is now truly the multi-use stadi- soccer will occur 11 times this summer. with fresh grass for the Rhinos' first um that we had envisioned. The con- home game, on Memorial Day, May 26. version is certainly one of a kind for Outstanding Job A crowd of 12,153 watched the historic facilities this size, and I'm proud that The mission of STMA is "to be the soccer game, which was played on a all parties are working together to leader in the sports turf industry, to complete natural grass field where make this happen." enhance, promote and improve profes- only 24 hours earlier the baseball team Along with a busy schedule of soc- sionalism through excellence in com- had finished a three-game home stand. cer matches and baseball games, munication, training, research, educa- While the Rhinos lost only their sec- Frontier Field also entertains concerts tion and services." Through the vari- ond game in six starts that day, the turf and other events. The turf conversion ous educational opportunities it spon- held true throughout the game. "The will be applied before every Rhino sors and the many articles its mem- turf was fine," the Rhinos goalkeeper match, and the soccer organization bers supply to this magazine, STMA said. "The grounds crew should be com- will pay the approximate $5,000 cost seems to be achieving that mission. mended on the great job they did." of the turf and landscaping each time. Witness the following letter from The conversion began the evening "For professional soccer, the turf Recreation Supervisor Eric v Schill. before the soccer match when a crew conversion is an important step to "The City of Mountain View is in from RM· Landscaping began to edge developing the game in the United Santa Clara County, California, and is the infield and lay sod at 6 p.m., after States," says Francisco Marcos, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. the Red Wings Sunday baseball game. commissioner of A-League soccer. The approximate population is 69,000. On Memorial Day, Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y.,became the site of the first conversion of a baseball diamond to a professional soccer pitch. Photo courtesy: James D. Lathrop. 50 sporfsTURF· http://www.sporsturfonline.com SEE US ONLINE - http://www.sportsturfonline.com ning its Fall Field Day. Details will be announced soon. For more information on the field day or the KAFMO Chapter STMA, contact: Dan Douglas, Reading Phillies Baseball Club, at (610) 375- 8469, extension 212. Midwest Chapter: The Midwest Chapter of STMA is in the process of planning future events. For informa- tion on the Midwest Chapter or pend- ing activities, call: The Chapter Hotline (847) 439-4727. Southern California Chapter: For information on the Southern California Chapter or pending activi- ties, contact: Chris Bunnell at (619) 432-242l. Minnesota Chapter: For informa- tion on the Minnesota Chapter or upcoming activities, contact: Connie With a lot of hard work and some advice from STMA and this magazine, Phil Rudolph at (612) 646-1679. Blach keeps athletes happy with the fields he maintains in Mountain View, Calif. Photo courtesy: Eric V. Schill. STMA Chapters on the Grow Northern California:' A budding As a recreation supervisor with the focus will be aerifying and topdressing. chapter is beginning to take shape in City of Mountain View, I have the For information on these events, Northern California. The steering maintenance of our athletic fields as other pending activities, or the Florida committee includes Sal Genito, UC one of my job responsibilities. Chapter, contact: John Mascaro at Davis; Steve Abella, Delta Blue "I read your magazine regularly as (954) 938-7477. Grass; Sandy Jacobson, UC Davis; it has given my staff and me many Colorado Chapter: The Colorado Bob Milano Jr., UC Berkeley; James good ideas in the general upkeep and Chapter of STMA has set its combina- Moore, B & B Concrete; Dave maintenance of baseball, softball, foot- tion Vendor Expo and Meeting for Patterson, Sierra Pacific Supply; ball and soccer fields. Enclosed is a September 18, 1997, at Jeffco Stadium. Greg Roberts, Placer Union High; photograph of one of OUI" Little League This replaces the spring event that Tim Smith, Brown Sand; and Dennis diamonds in Monta Loma Park. was canceled due to an April snow. Suit, San Jose State. ''Monta Loma Park is used by our The following are just a few of the News about the .official "grand local Little League beginning in features to be included at the September opening" and Charter Commercial February and usually wrapping up in meeting: a presentation on the history of Memberships will be announced soon. early fall. Fall renovations include Jefferson County stadiums, a presenta- For information, contact any of the thatching, oversee ding, irrigation repair, tion on the STMA Certification program committee members, or the UC Davis grading, leveling and hopeful coopera- by Certification Committee member Grounds Office at (916) 752-5035. tion from Mother Nature. Upkeep of our Ross Kurcab, a tour of Jeffco Stadium MAFMO: The Mid-Atlantic Little League, Babe Ruth League and and product demonstrations. Athletic Field Managers Organization softball diamonds falls on one person, For more information on this event, (MAFMO) is an active group currently Phil Blach, who deserves recognition the Colorado Chapter and other working toward STMA affiliation. An for the outstanding job he does." upcoming activities, call the 24-Hour August "Dinner and a Game" Meeting CSTMA Chapter HotlinelFAX: (303) will be held at the Bowie Baysox STMA Chapter News 438-9645. Baseball Stadium. Date and time will Florida Chapter #1: Florida Iowa STMA: The Iowa Chapter be announced soon. Chapter #1 will again participate in will hold a BaseballlFootball Workshop A Field Day will be held on the Florida Turf Grass Conference and from 9 a.m. to noon on October 9 at September 18 at MacGruder High Show to be held September 5-8 in Waldorf College in Forest City. School in Rockville, Md. This will Tampa. Join chapter members and Sessions will include general care of include a "Turface in Turf' stadium representatives from STMA the baseball mound and home plate turf renovation. Headquarters at the STMA booth to and general care of the football field. For more information on these help spread the word about STMA and For more information on this event, events, MAFMO, or other upcoming the 9th Annual .Conference and the Iowa Chapter or other upcoming activities, contact the Hotline: (410) Exhibition to be held January 14-18, activities, contact: Lori Westrum at 290-5652. 1998, at the Coronado Springs Resort The Turf Office at (515) 232-8222 Great Plains: For information on and Disney's Wide World of Sports (phone) or (515) 232-8228 (fax). the Great Plains Sports Turf complex in Orlando. KAFMO: The Keystone Athletic Managers Association or upcoming Florida Chapter #1 will meet in Ft. Field Managers Organization events, contact: Mark Schimming, Lauderdale on October 21. The meeting (KAFMO Chapter STMA) is now plan- City of Wichita, at (316) 337-9123. August 1997 51.