Source: Sports Turf Managers Association
(LAWRENCE, Kan.) – Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) – the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide – celebrates its 23rd anniversary of volunteering as the grounds crew for the Little League World Series (LLWS), August 18-28 in Williamsport, Pa.Rob Guthrie, Turf and Groundskeeper at Little League International, will lead 33 volunteers from nine states in preparing and managing the playing surfaces for more than 30 televised games on ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNU and WATCH ESPN over a 10-day period in August.
The 88-acre complex features six fields, one full-size baseball field, two premier stadiums (Lamade, Volunteer), two practice fields and one practice in-field.
"Each year, we look forward to providing the safest natural grass playing surfaces possible for the athletes," says Guthrie. "As one of the pinnacle youth sports events of the summer, STMA members dedicate countless hours to produce high quality and visually appealing fields for this globally-recognized tournament."
Arriving three days prior to the event, volunteers play a critical role to prepare all aspects of the fields and maintain each field in top playing condition throughout the tournament.
The 88-acre complex features six fields, one full-size baseball field, two premier stadiums (Lamade, Volunteer), two practice fields and one practice in-field.
"Each year, we look forward to providing the safest natural grass playing surfaces possible for the athletes," says Guthrie. "As one of the pinnacle youth sports events of the summer, STMA members dedicate countless hours to produce high quality and visually appealing fields for this globally-recognized tournament."
Arriving three days prior to the event, volunteers play a critical role to prepare all aspects of the fields and maintain each field in top playing condition throughout the tournament.
Jeff Fowler, STMA Board Member, has lead the charge for two decades as a volunteer and coordinates logistics with Guthrie and the volunteers.
"I regularly visit Williamsport throughout the year to gauge field conditions and ensure we are on track," says Fowler, District Director for Penn State University’s Cooperative Extension. "I enjoy recruiting and mentoring volunteers during this event; it is rewarding to give back to the industry I love."
"I regularly visit Williamsport throughout the year to gauge field conditions and ensure we are on track," says Fowler, District Director for Penn State University’s Cooperative Extension. "I enjoy recruiting and mentoring volunteers during this event; it is rewarding to give back to the industry I love."
The two premier stadiums, Lamade and Volunteer, feature Kentucky bluegrass. In addition to daily mowing and painting lines, the volunteer grounds team will carefully water each field, broom the edges and make necessary repairs to the clay in the home plate circle and pitcher's mound.
As part of STMA's continuing education program, Nora Dunnaway, Finance and Operations Manager, will be volunteering as a representative from company headquarters.
In addition to the STMA’s milestone, this year marks the 70th anniversary for the LLWS.
For more info on STMA: www.stma.org, www.twitter.com/fieldexperts, 800.323.3875.
About STMA
STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.
STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.
