Isotopes Park Named 2013 Field of the Year

The Sports Turf Managers Association announced today that Isotopes Park has been named the winner for the 2013 Field of the Year in all of professional baseball. The organization's Field of the Year Award has been given since 1992 to members who manage baseball fields at the professional level. The honor is the latest in a series of accolades garnered this year by the Albuquerque Isotopes grounds crew and Director of Field Operations Casey Griffin, who also earned an honorable mention among top groundskeepers in the Pacific Coast League this August. 

In his first season as head groundskeeper, Griffin maintained the field's pristine condition despite a historically strong monsoon season in Albuquerque.   This marks the third time Isotopes Park has been named Field of the Year by STMA. Isotopes Park also finished at the top of the collegiate category in 2004 and the professional category in 2007.

"It is a great honor to be recognized for this prestigious award again," said General Manager John Traub. "We are so proud of the incredible work our entire grounds crew, seasonal interns and game-day grounds crew personnel have put in to earn this accolade."    

The Sports Turf Managers Association's Field of the Year Award program recognizes winners who have an intense passion to provide the finest playing surfaces in baseball, football, softball, soccer and other sporting grounds at the professional, collegiate/school (K-12) and parks categories. A panel of 16 expert judges score each surface based on its playability, appearance, innovative solutions employed in its maintenance, effective use of budget and the development and implementation of a comprehensive, sound agronomic program. Isotopes Park will also be featured in a 2014 issue of Sports Turf Magazine.