Thunder's Sherry heads to O's

TRENTON, N.J. -- The Trenton Thunder -- the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees -- and Global Spectrum Stadium Services -- the company that oversees field maintenance at Waterfront Park -- announced today that Head Groundskeeper Nicole Sherry is leaving the team to take the same position with the Baltimore Orioles. She becomes just the second woman in Major League Baseball history with the title of "Head Groundskeeper."

Sherry, a native of Wilmington, Del., was the first woman Head Groundskeeper in the Eastern League when she joined the Thunder prior to the 2004 season. Sherry was twice a runnerup for Eastern League "Groundskeeper of the Year" (2005 & 2006). Her work was so respected that the Thunder featured Sherry on one of their bobble head dolls last season.

Prior to her time with the Thunder, Sherry worked three seasons as Assistant Head Groundskeeper for the Orioles. She has also worked for several golf courses in her career.

"We are all very excited for Nicole," said Thunder General Manager Brad Taylor. "Nicole came highly regarded when she joined the Thunder in 2004. It is not a surprise that the Orioles want to hire her back. Nicole kept Waterfront Park as one of the best playing surfaces in Minor League Baseball."

"We are extremely pleased to have Nicole rejoining our organization," said Roger Hayden, Director of Ballpark Operations for the Orioles. "She is familiar with Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and her added experience at Waterfront Park with the Trenton Thunder will enable her to oversee the playing field of the best ballpark in Major League Baseball."

According to the Sports Turf Managers Association, there have been approximately 10 women to hold the position of Head Groundskeeper in the history of professional baseball. Heather Nabozny, who worked with the West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League) from 1995-1999, is the only other woman to hold the position of Head Groundskeeper in Major League Baseball. Nabozny currently works for the Detroit Tigers.

Sherry has her Associates Degree in Agriculture from Delaware Technical and Community College as well as her Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from the University of Delaware. She graduated from St. Mark's High School in Wilmington, Del. Her work has included time working for the University of Delaware's Research and Education Center as a Weed Science Research Assistant. This was a cooperative effort with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test potential new herbicides. These tests were performed at local farms near the university's campus.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of overseeing the care of a Major League field," said Sherry. "I have been very lucky to work for two great organizations in my baseball career... the Thunder and the Orioles. While I look forward to going back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, I will miss the many friends that I made while with the Thunder."

"We want to congratulate Nicole on her great work at Waterfront Park," said Eric Cuthbertson, General Manager of Trenton's Sovereign Bank Arena, which is managed by Global Spectrum. "She did excellent work with the Thunder and we wish her well in her job with the Baltimore Orioles."

A search for the new Head Groundskeeper will begin immediately by the Thunder and Global Spectrum.