www.stma.org June 2014 | SportsTurf 43
Why STMA Should conSider
your field A Winner?
There were a multitude of challenges we faced, and a series
of triumphs we achieved this year. One of the many challenges
was that of the field renovation. Renovations are clearly difficult
regardless, but having the responsibility of overseeing a $250,000
project within the first month as Director was an extremely
intense and rewarding opportunity. Additional projects we took
on were the re-structuring of the bullpen mounds and home
plate area, foul line re-surfacing, and instituting a knowledgeable
approach for Poa management.
Paramount to the success of a nearly flawless field during the
extreme spring and summer in New Mexico is the attentive care
and hard work that was put in over the fall and winter. Example
of this was our 9-11" root depth coming into the season. Weather
posed un-predictable challenges as well. After enduring a college
season that began in February in 25 degree weather, suffering
through one of the worst droughts in history (3.37" total pre-
cipitation, April-August) we were dealt a monsoon season which
at one point, delivered 89 mph winds and 41 % of our seasons
rainfall in a 45-minute period, during a game. Through a sched-
ule of roughly 100 game/on field events, we maintained a level
of excellence that resulted in a Pacific Coast League Presidential
Commendation award.
As sports turf managers, we all deal with constant challenges;
however in this particular year with this particular set of circum-
