SOCAL STMA RENOVATES FIELD NAMED FOR A LEGEND

At first the project seemed to be overwhelming. It was more than the members of the SoCal Chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) probably wanted to take on.

Then, on further consideration, it became a possibility.

And, finally, when the chapter realized what kind of support it would receive from individuals and businesses, it was something that was definitely doable.

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Rick Covert, STMA secretary and Facilities Supervisor/Landscape at Miramar College was on a walk-through at Petco Park with Ron Lardizibal, Athletic Director at San Diego's Herbert Hoover High. The talk eventually came around to the fact that STMA wanted to continue its recent tradition of volunteering each year to renovate a public field. The association, on a national level, has been conducting similar events for several years. Lardizibal mentioned that the varsity field at the school was certainly a candidate for a local project.

The field is called the Ted Williams Field, named in honor of the baseball legend, who while still enrolled at Hoover High, made his professional baseball debut in the minor leagues with the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast. Despite his fame, accomplishments and travels Williams never forgot his beginnings. Even at his induction to the Hall of Fame in 1966, during his acceptance speech he gave credit for his early career to "my playground director in San Diego . . . and my high school coach."

"That this was the school where Williams played baseball when he was a youngster was certainly part of the allure of taking on this project," said Mike Tarantino, STMA President and Director of Maintenance and Operations for Poway Unified School District.
Padres Director of Field and Landscape Maintenance Luke Yoder, an STMA member, and his assistant, John Turnour, echo that sentiment.

"I can't think of a better opportunity to give back to the community than at Hoover High and a field named after a true legend," Yoder said.
Tarantino explained that when they looked at the field back in January it was clear that it was going to be a challenge.

"In no uncertain terms, we knew there was much work to be done," he said.

It was obvious, that because of funding shortfalls, the field had not been maintained properly. It wasn't because of lack of interest or knowledge. It was a matter of funding. It's a problem that is at the core of similar situations found at other fields throughout the nation. Budget priorities at municipal and other public organizations are forced to shift from year to year because of an economy which, in itself, is often shifting. Proper maintenance of athletic areas sometimes falls to the bottom of the list.

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Ron Hostick, CSFM (Certified Sports Field Manager), an STMA board member and Lead Grounds for San Diego State University, explained that some of the preliminary work (irrigation and skin) took place during the afternoons of Wednesday and Thursday, prior to the weekend when the coordinated event was to take place.

Hostick, who, with his group, is responsible for maintaining Charlie Smith Field at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the university campus, said the major part of the massive effort was conducted over two full days, Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8. There was some residual work on Sunday and Monday.

Approximately 50 persons descended on the field to add their labor and talent. Eleven businesses from the San Diego area were present with their product and service donations. Student volunteers offered their time. And, because the event was a natural occasion for a seminar, some individuals came to the site to learn about the latest developments in maintaining a field.

The work focused on a number of areas, especially the replacement and updating of the fields irrigation system. Sprinkler heads were replaced and new piping was laid. Sod replacement followed along with removal and replacement of the pitchers mound.
"A major job was the removal of the lip where dirt and grass meet," Tarantino explained.
"Over the years, the lip had grown so high that it easily had turned into a hazard for the youngsters using the field."

The businesses that are credited for participating in the event are AA Equipment, Barkshire Laser Leveling, Best Professional Products, Green One Industries, Horizon, Hunter Irrigation, Profile Products, Pro's Choice, Target  Specialty Products, Turf First and West Coast Turf.
"if we were to add it all up," Tarantino said, "about $75,000 in products and services were donated."

The STMA's national mission is to make athletic fields safer, more consistent and aesthetically pleasing for athletes of all ages. The group's membership includes municipality and city landscape professionals, as well as coaches and groundskeepers of every level from high school through professional sports.