SportsField Management June 2025 | Page 34

ACCESSING THE ARCHIVES

THIS RETROSPECTIVE DELVES INTO the historic issues of SportsTurf magazine, predecessor to SportsField Management magazine. For this edition of Accessing the Archives we turn the clock back to 2002.

The January 2002 issue showcased Bank One Ballpark, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and how head groundskeeper Grent Trenbeath and his team managed natural grass in a retractable-dome stadium during a season in which the Diamondbacks played into November and ended the season as World Series champions.

“ We’ d done the preparation, and the year had been our field’ s best,” said Trenbeath.“ It looked great and played great. So, in the bottom of the ninth, Gonzo drives home the game-winning run. The fans go nuts, and I run out on my field for a huge celebration. It was tremendous.”

Dr. Tony Koski, who was chosen as the SportsTurf 2002 Manager of the Year, was also profiled in the January issue. Koski was selected by the previous winners of the award, and was recognized for his leadership in the industry and his willingness to educate others. He also served on the SAFE Foundation Board and was responsible for developing the criteria for research grants.

The cover story of the February 2002 issue was the Dell Diamond of Round Rock, Texas, winning Professional Baseball Field

of the Year; but the primary focus of the issue was an STMA member survey. Highlights included that overall satisfaction with STMA services at the time was 92 % favorable, and SportsTurf magazine received 85 % satisfaction. The conference received a 70 % favorable and 28 % neutral rating among members, but that might be related to firsthand experience, as the favorable rating jumped to 89 % among members who had actually attended.

Experts sharing insight into infield maintenance was the focus of the March 2002 cover story,“ Mix Masters.” Said then STMA President, Murray Cook,“ As a rule of thumb, the average clay / sand / silt ratio is 30 percent clay, 60 percent sand, and 10 percent silt. Pro levels will need more clay, but only 5 or 10 percent more.” Added Mike Boekholder, head groundskeeper, Indianapolis Indians,“ Moisture management is the most critical maintenance practice we do to ensure a consistent playing surface.”

Samford Field winning College Softball Field of the Year was the cover story for April. This high-use field gained rave reviews from visiting teams and spectators. Meanwhile, the May issue focused on the City of Carrollton, Texas, McInnish Complex winning School and Parks Softball Field of the Year.

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