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What ’ s your favorite or most important piece of equipment ?” I asked Derek Hollanitsch , the St . Paul ( Minn .) Parks and Recreation Division maintenance crew leader .

“ Every day , I want to give people a fine field to play on . It ’ s my passion ,” he said . I know , but what ’ s your favorite , is it the Kubota L series tractor with the aerator on back ? Or Toro Field Pro that grades and grooms ?

“ Come with me , I ’ ll show you my go-to machines for when I drag the Toni Stone stadium ,” said Hollanitsch . We took a short ride in the Mule and headed for the garage off the field .

“ I still use my old equipment !” Hollanitsch beamed as he rode this old iron out of the garage . The 1992 John Deere Triplex . And the 1991 Cushman Groom Master with the belly blades . “ Remember to mention the belly blades ,” he implored .

Hollanitsch has been caring for sports fields for more than 30 years ; tending the fields where Joe

GLENN HANSEN

Mauer grew into an MLB hall-of-famer . And the field where Satchel Paige played decades before .

I might be taking a chance writing about this field manager ’ s love for old equipment , at the time of year when I ’ m at Equip Expo and other events looking at all the newest equipment . Plus , I met Hollanitsch at an event supported by Toro to show the brand ’ s care for local sports fields .

Still , there is nothing like old rides . Simple focus . Thick steel , even rusting . Enhancements like duct tape and strapped-on milk crates .

Like other pros who love what they do , Hollanitsch reminded me that it ’ s not even about the equipment . It ’ s about passion for the craft . He loves giving people the opportunity to play , and he has mastered the skills necessary to do so . He shared with me his “ Grandma-ism .” That is ,

Derek Hollanitsch cares for St . Paul , Minn ., parks and “ you need to do something that ballfields with trusted skills and classic equipment . doesn ’ t feel like work .” By the way , Toni Stone was a second baseman in the Negro Leagues in the 1950s and was the first woman to play professional men ’ s baseball . Stone was signed by the Indianapolis Clowns to replace Hank Aaron after he went to the Boston Braves . She later signed with the Kansas City Monarchs and played with or against players such as Willie Mays , Ernie Banks and Satchel Paige . She grew up in St . Paul , Minn ., near the field now bearing her name , the one cared for by old machines and a master craftsman .

Like old equipment , old stories need to stay in circulation .

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