Wilcox wins Groundskeeper of the Year

Wilcox wins Groundskeeper of the Year

Written by Josh Flickinger

BELOIT – The Beloit Sky Carp have an award-winner in their Front Office. Jaymeson Wilcox was awarded the Midwest League Groundskeeper of the Year, Minor League Baseball announced Tuesday afternoon.

Wilcox, in his fourth season with Beloit, originally joined the team in 2017 and spent that season tending the grounds at Pohlman Field. After departing the team following that season, he was delighted to get the opportunity to reconnect with the franchise prior to the 2021 season.

“I missed being in baseball,” Wilcox said. “And with the team moving into the new ballpark in the 2021 season, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get back in.”

ABC Supply Stadium features the only turf field in the Midwest League, which Wilcox said does provide him with an advantage.

“The biggest thing is that it allows me more time to focus on the dirt and the clay,” he said. “I don’t have to spend hours every day mowing and fertilizing the grass. It’s still a lot of work, but that extra focus makes a big difference.”

The award was given based on the year-long surveys that went out to visiting managers, asking them to rate the field on a number of different categories.

Based on those ratings, Wilcox’s field at ABC Supply Stadium ended up on top.

“It’s very special to get this award,” Wilcox said. “After being at Pohlman Field and having those limited resources to coming here and working with our field turf, which is just phenomenal, it’s been great. And developing relationships with these managers over a period of time allows us to make adjustments and respond to their requests.”

Wilcox, who also served as the team's home clubhouse manager, said he was greatly helped by the members of his grounds crew.

“There’s no way I could have been recognized like this without the work of my crew,” Wilcox said. “They worked extremely hard all season long and definitely share in this award.”

Beloit will open its 2024 schedule on April 5 at home against Cedar Rapids.

The Beloit Sky Carp are the High-A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins and play their games at ABC Supply Stadium -- the heart of the Riverbend District.

Get tickets at SkyCarp.com or call the Box Office at 608-362-2272.

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