Scotts Presents MLB 2010: Fields of Play

[Sweetleaf22]

ESPN to air show on Major League lawn care on Tuesday night 9:00 PM


For most of us, the first striking memory of a Major League Baseball game is the field itself. It's that impossibly vast expanse of green, mixed with the finest conditioned topsoils, giving the best players in the world a stage upon which to perform their acts.

There are more natural-grass ballparks this year than in any previous season in MLB history, with the Metrodome replaced by Target Field in Minnesota. That's 28 of 30 ballparks with real blades and an ever-increasing appreciation of groundskeeping.

If you love that kind of baseball, and you have an appreciation for lawncare in general, then you will especially love watching "Scotts Presents MLB 2010: Fields of Play" -- an hour-long program set to air nationally on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Scotts was named this year as Official Lawn Care Company of MLB. In addition to offering All-Star balloting, beginning this week at more than 1,700 Lowe's stores, and producing various types of grass seed that let you grow the same kind of lawn used by your favorite team, the company's multifaceted new relationship with the National Pastime includes the presentation of this visually striking special, created by MLB Productions.

"This program was a great opportunity that came from our larger sponsorship with Major League Baseball. It gives fans of all types, and even the casually curious, an intriguing glimpse into a side of the game they may have never thought of before," said John Price, Lawns Senior Brand Manager for Scotts. "It's another unique way to reinforce the partnership connection with baseball which we know drives sales for the Scotts brand."

"A handful of the top head groundskeepers across the country are going to discuss field maintenance tips, stories about their ballparks and how professional sportsturf management has evolved over the years," said Murray Cook, MLB's head groundskeeping consultant, who has been blogging about groundskeeping for five years and is part of this special. "Hats off to Scotts and MLB for putting together this behind the scenes series of the 10th man of the team."

"Fields of Play" will showcase the work that goes into creating playing fields that allow teams to play their best and showcase players' skills, while having these diamonds stunning to the eyes of the spectators. You already may have seen Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in one TV commercial with a Scotts representative. In this special, a number of current players will act as conduits between viewers and groundskeepers, interviewing the latter about the intricacies of their craft.

Here are the show segments:

Open & Boston: Remaking Fenway
Opening night, 2010: MLB will kick off the season at Fenway Park, MLB's oldest ballpark. The Red Sox will host the defending champion Yankees, in front of a national audience on ESPN. Fans know Derek Jeter and David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Dustin Pedroia, but don't know that Fenway underwent a complete re-sodding prior to the 2010 campaign (its 99th year of existence). As one season becomes the next, transformative steps are often taken to meet the high expectations and maintain the playability of ball fields. Viewers will meet Dave Mellor, director of grounds for the Red Sox, and go behind the scenes at one of the game's holiest shrines.

Minneapolis: New Ballpark, Rough Climate
After playing nearly 30 years of indoor baseball at the Metrodome, outdoor baseball meets Minnesota. Head groundskeeper Larry DiVito spent two years researching, designing, and installing the perfect field surface for such an unforgiving northern climate. What grass seed did he select? How will he and his staff fight Mother Nature's wrath? Why did the Twins choose to buck the retractable roof trend? DiVito will answer these questions and give viewers a tour of the sparkling ballpark on the eve of Target Field's memorable opening game. In addition, DiVito talks with Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer, as the two begin to forge a critical relationship: player and groundskeeper.

Home Field Advantage
Throughout the years, groundskeepers have been known to provide a literal home field advantage, tailoring their ballpark to the strengths and away from the weaknesses of the home club. Through exclusive interviews and a player poll taken in Spring Training, this block will also explore the diverse views held by current players on the nuanced differences that exist among the league's diamonds, and examine the critical relationships that players have with groundskeepers.

Atlanta: A Day in the Life
Ed Mangan, field director of Turner Field, will take us through his typical schedule on a home game for the Braves. From his arrival at 8 a.m. to his departure at 1 a.m. (barring extra innings), Mangan shows viewers what goes into a day of big league field preparation: cutting grass, studying weather patterns, dragging the infield, watering and lining the field, changing bases mid-game . . . all just the beginning. Viewers will see bullpen coach Eddie Perez as never before, and All-Stars Chipper Jones and Brian McCann will chime in on how Turner Field plays.

Philadelphia: Confronting Mother Nature
Wet April weather in Philly will have viewers flashing back to Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, when torrential rains caused the only suspended game (for 48 hours) in the event's history. Viewers will meet Mike Boekholder, head groundskeeper at Citizens Bank Park, and see the challenges he faces daily -- climate and otherwise -- as he prepares the field through the long season. Phillies infielder Greg Dobbs and Boekholder will discuss field conditions and care techniques in Philly, amid difficult and varied atmospheric conditions.

Groundskeeping 101
This segment features a variety of groundskeepers sharing the secrets of their trade, including field care lessons and terminology. How is the gentle slope of the mound created? How are designs created in the grass? What is a tamp used for? How should the infield be watered? What is the proper clay mix in the batters box? Here, our "professors" will take us to groundskeeping school.

Anaheim: Tending a Sun Field
Barney Lopas, head groundskeeper at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, learned the tricks of the trade from one of the all-time greats -- George Toma, the longtime Kansas City Athletics and Royals groundskeeper. While some might think that cultivating a baseball field in the warmth of southern California would be less complex, Lopas has to contend with an array of factors that threaten his grass and complicate his job. In this segment, he will show you exactly what he's up against, and how he keeps his field consistently rated among the best surfaces in the league.

Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, a man who was lured to Anaheim by Lopas' lush green field, will interact with Lopas and talk about why Angel Stadium is so widely loved by MLB players.

Scotts' presentation of the retail balloting at Lowe's stores is an extension of the overall MLB All-Star Game balloting program, the largest in professional sports. Fans have been voting constantly with the 2010 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com, with an opportunity to cast up to 25 ballots per email address. More than 20 million Firestone All-Star ballots are being distributed at the 30 Major League ballparks, each of which will have 23 home dates for balloting. Ballots also will be distributed in approximately 100 Minor League ballparks.

Beyond casting their votes at Lowe's, Scotts also has given fans there the opportunity to enter to win a VIP All-Star Week Experience. Coinciding with Opening Day, Scotts launched its MLB Authentic Collection of grass seed and fertilizer blends for an initial five MLB clubs. It has been a natural association with a game that increasingly is about the pastoral setting of natural grass and fertile soils, a connection between baseball and homeowner for so many.


Wasnt sure to post this in Main Street or MLB?,