Tanis named Sports Turf Manager of the Year

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2013) - For the second time in three seasons, Winston-Salem Dash's Head Groundskeeper Doug Tanis has earned the Carolina League's Sports Turf Manager of the Year, the league office announced Friday.

Tanis also claimed the honor following the 2011 season, during which he was also honored as the best turf manager among the 60 Class A Minor League Baseball teams. The award is presented by the Sports Turf Managers Association, Minor League Baseball and the Carolina League. At the end of each season, all Carolina League coaching staffs grade the circuit's playing surface, and the team with the highest score wins the award.

"It is a great privilege to be selected for this award," Tanis said. "Every member of the grounds crew has put in long hours and worked hard all season, and this award would not be possible without their efforts. I also appreciate the support of the Dash players, coaches and staff members, all of whom help me do my job better."

"Considering the work of my colleagues throughout the Carolina League, it is humbling to earn this award," Tanis continued. "This league has eight tremendous fields, so this honor is a testament to those who work so hard around me all season long."

Tanis joined the Winston-Salem franchise in advance of the 2007 season and was integral in the transition to BB&T Ballpark for the 2010 season. During his time at the new downtown facility, Tanis has prepared the field for almost 300 Dash games in addition to nine playoff games, the 2011 exhibition with the Chicago White Sox and the 2012 California-Carolina League All-Star Game.

Prior to his time in Winston-Salem, Tanis worked with the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Low-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies in the South Atlantic League. The Pequannock, N.J., native also spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, serving his country in the Iraq War.