Quartet claim Turf Award honors
Cheek has been the Florida State League winner for the past six seasons for his work at the Clearwater Threshers' Bright House Networks Field. Nielsen oversees Louisville Slugger Field for the Bats, while Douglas is in charge of the Reading Phillies' FirstEnergy Stadium.
The STMA provides educational opportunities and support so that sports turf managers can provide the best sports surfaces for all levels of play. Sports turf managers are experts on the field and partners of the game.
Chris Ball was chosen as a co-winner in the Carolina League, marking the third consecutive year that he has been selected. Nephi Peterson (Pioneer) and Brennan Prestley (Northwest) were also named top turf manager in their leagues last year.
The four classification winners, who were chosen from among 17 league winners, will receive their awards at the Baseball Winter Meetings ™ Awards Luncheon in Indianapolis, Ind., on Dec. 7.
| League | Winner | Club |
| International | Tom Nielsen | Louisville Bats |
| Pacific Coast | Eric Blanton | Reno Aces |
| Mexican | Florencio Vidal Miranda | Quintana Roo Tigers |
| Eastern | Dan Douglas | Reading Phillies |
| Southern | Ed Attalla | Jacksonville Suns |
| Texas | Garrett Reddehase | Corpus Christi Hooks |
| California | Peter Hayes | Lake Elsinore Storm |
| Carolina (tie) | Chris Ball | Myrtle Beach Pelicans |
| Carolina (tie) | Stephen Watson | Kinston Indians |
| Florida State | Opie Cheek | Clearwater Threshers |
| Midwest | Dan Jennings | Great Lakes Loons |
| South Atlantic | Mike Williams | Charleston RiverDogs |
| New York-Penn | Jeff Paolino | Lowell Spinners |
| Northwest | Brennan Prestley | Spokane Indians |
| Appalachian | Israel Hinojosa III | Greeneville Astros |
| Pioneer | Nephi Peterson | Orem Owlz |
| Gulf Coast | Terry Slawson | Gulf Coast Twins |