Trash Pandas' Charlie Weaver Named Groundskeeper of the Year
The Rocket City Trash Pandas are proud to announce that Head Groundskeeper Charlie Weaver was named the 2022 Minor League Baseball Groundskeeper of the Year. The award gives Weaver and the Trash Pandas the honor for the best field in the eight-team Southern League and throughout all 120 teams in
The Rocket City Trash Pandas are proud to announce that Head Groundskeeper Charlie Weaver was named the 2022 Minor League Baseball Groundskeeper of the Year.
The award gives Weaver and the Trash Pandas the honor for the best field in the eight-team Southern League and throughout all 120 teams in Minor League Baseball for the 2022 season.
“Winning something like this is very meaningful to me. Just to have our hard work recognized throughout the entire season,” Weaver said. “To be acknowledged as the best in the league and all of baseball truly means a lot.”
“All of us are so excited for Charlie and his staff,” Trash Pandas Manager Andy Schatzley said. “It’s an incredible accomplishment and doesn’t surprise any of us who are lucky enough to be around him every day.”
A Madison native, Bob Jones High School alumnus, and former pitcher for the University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team, Weaver returned to his hometown and joined the Trash Pandas in July 2019 after previously working for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Maintaining one of the newest ballparks in Minor League Baseball has been no easy task. But Weaver, with Assistant Groundskeeper Colby Hunter and a dedicated team of game day employees by his side, have perfected the job since Toyota Field opened. This past season, the Trash Pandas grounds crew stayed busy as the team played a full 69-game home schedule, as well as the first two playoff games in Toyota Field history while keeping a cool head throughout the most stressful situations during the season.
“To win something like this takes a great group of people around you. I would not be able to do anything like this if it wasn’t for Colby, our game day staff, the support of our front office, and especially my wife,” Weaver said. “This should be a grounds crew of the year award, because without everyone else, none of this would be possible.”
Around the Trash Pandas’ home schedule, Toyota Field hosted many other events in 2022 including high school and college baseball, concerts, youth baseball camps, and even a Division I College Football game in October. Throughout all of that, the grounds crew kept the field in top shape, making sure players and fans had the best experience possible at the ballpark.
Weaver earned the award by constantly being ranked among the best in baseball by his peers. In surveys conducted throughout the Southern League, the playing surface at Toyota Field is called the best in the circuit. Weaver’s field received the highest praise in each category including infield and outfield turf areas, player safety, professionalism of crew, and handling of weather conditions, which can be especially tough throughout rainy Alabama summers.
Trash Pandas Take Series Over Clingstones, Split Doubleheader Behind Farris Gem and Guzman Blast
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (8-13, 32-57) split Sunday’s doubleheader with the Columbus Clingstones (11-10, 37-50) at Toyota Field, securing their first series win after the All-Star Break by taking two of three games. Rocket City extended its win streak to four with a 7-2 victory in
Trash Pandas and Columbus set for Sunday doubleheader
MADISON, Ala. – Tonight's scheduled 6:35 pm game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Columbus Clingstones has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions at Toyota Field. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, July 20, featuring two seven-inning games. Game one
Trash Pandas win first meeting with Columbus 4-1 on Friday
MADISON, Ala. – Starting pitcher George Klassen (W, 3-7) fired 5.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball, and rightfielder Travis Blankenhorn ripped a solo homer in the first inning to propel the Trash Pandas to a 4-1 win over the Columbus Clingstones Friday night in front of 6,491 fans at Toyota
Homestand Highlights: July 18-20 vs. Columbus
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas welcome the Atlanta Braves' affiliate, Columbus Clingstones, to Toyota Field for the first time this weekend, Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20. This weekend includes back-to-back Fireworks Shows, a visit from the Tennessee Titans, Margaritaville Night with Jersey Auction, and the
Sam Brown gives Rocket City back-to-back Southern League Player of the Week awards
MADISON, Alabama – For the second consecutive week, a Rocket City Trash Pandas infielder has earned Southern League Player of the Week honors. Sam Brown was recognized by Minor League Baseball for his standout performance during the week of July 8–13. In Rocket City’s road series against Chattanooga, Brown led
Guzman Makes History as Trash Pandas Roll Into Break With Series Split
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Behind a record-setting performance from shortstop Denzer Guzman, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6–12, 30–56) cruised to an 8–2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (8–9, 46–37) on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Field. The victory secured a series split and gave the Trash Pandas back-to-back wins heading into
Trash Pandas' Bats and Bullpen Dominate in 10–3 Win Over Lookouts
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (5–12, 29–56) pounded out 13 hits and got a stellar performance from their bullpen to earn a 10–3 blowout win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (8–8, 46–36) on Saturday night at AT&T Field. With the victory, Rocket City will now aim for a
Colás Goes Deep, Ureña Steady as Trash Pandas Rally
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-10, 28-54) rallied late on Wednesday night to earn a 4–3 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (6-7, 44-35) in the second game of their series at AT&T Field. Oscar Colás led the charge with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season,
Denzer Guzman named Southern League Player of the Week
MADISON, Alabama – Rocket City Trash Pandas infielder Denzer Guzman has been named the Southern League Player of the Week by Minor League Baseball for the week of July 1–6. In a six-game split series against the Knoxville Smokies, Guzman led the league with a 1.316 OPS and seven extra-base
Edwards hits go-ahead homer, Klassen fans nine in 2-1 win over Smokies
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Starter George Klassen matched his season high by recording nine strikeouts, and Evan Edwards hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie, leading the Rocket City Trash Pandas (3-8, 27-52) to a 2-1 victory over the Knoxville Smokies (5-6, 38-42) on
Trash Pandas burst five bombs in air, leaving Smokies with red glare in a 10-8 win
MADISON, Ala. – Oscar Colas pelted three solo homers, and Josh Crouch whistled a three-run go-ahead dinger in the eighth as the Trash Pandas (2-7, 26-51) came from behind to defeat the Knoxville Smokies (4-5, 33-38) 10-8 in front of 7,157 raucous fans Thursday night at Toyota Field The Trash
Streak Snapped! Trash Pandas blast Smokies 9-1 to end skid
MADISON, Ala. – It's over! On Wednesday night, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (1-7, 25-51) ended their 16-game losing streak by blasting the Knoxville Smokies (4-4, 36-40) at Toyota Field, 9-1. Denzer Guzman hit a three-run home run that capped off a four-run third inning, and the Trash Pandas never
George Klassen named to 2025 All-Star Futures Game
MADISON, Ala. – Rocket City Trash Pandas right-handed pitcher George Klassen has been chosen to participate in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. This 26th edition of the Futures Game will take place at 3:00 pm CT on Saturday, July 12, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Klassen will represent the Trash
Rain spoils Trash Pandas' winning hopes on Sunday despite tying the game in the ninth
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (0-6, 24-50) suffered a heartbreaking 15th straight loss on Sunday, as rain interrupted the series finale in the ninth inning. The Montgomery Biscuits (6-0, 43-31) won the game at Riverwalk Stadium 6-5 in a rain-shortened eight-inning contest. The two teams will not
Independence Week and Fourth of July Festival coming up at Toyota Field
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce a week-long Independence Day celebration as they host the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field from July 1-3. The festivities will include an Independence Eve Celebration and Fireworks, presented by SAIC, and a Fourth of July Festival culminating with
Fatherhood, Baseball, and Life Lessons
Baseball and fatherhood go hand in hand for many families across the country. Most boys learn the game from their dads, who often learn it from theirs, and so on. Both baseball and fatherhood require Leadership, planning, and teamwork. The relationship between the two goes much deeper than a game
Wednesday's doubleheader suspended, will resume on Thursday
Madison, Ala. – Game one of Wednesday's doubleheader between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at Toyota Field has been suspended. This game will resume on Thursday at 4:05 pm, followed by a second seven-inning game approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first. On Wednesday,
Homestand Highlights: June 17-22 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas continue their longest homestand of the season as they close out the first half welcoming the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate, at Toyota Field for seven games over six days, from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. The second
Trash Pandas show off their Butts, and win 4-1 over Blue Wahoos
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (24-35) kicked off a weekend celebration of Alabama's rich BBQ history on Friday night by playing as their alternate identity, the Bama Butts. They posted a 4-1 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-21) in front of 5,381 fans at Toyota Field.
Christian Moore Launched to the League
MADISON, Ala. – Former Trash Pandas infielder Christian Moore is headed to the majors after the Los Angeles Angels purchased his contract today. He becomes the 41st Trash Pandas player to make his major league debut. After a slow start to the season, Moore was riding a seven-game hitting streak
Pandas win second-straight over Wahoos, 5-4, on Thursday
MADISON, Ala. – On Thursday night at Toyota Field, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (23-35) captured their second consecutive victory, knocking off the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-30) 5-4. Mitch Farris struck out 10 batters over 6.1 innings, allowing the Pandas' offense to overcome a 3-0 deficit. The win gives Rocket
Pandas walk off Pensacola on Cole Fontenelle's 10th inning single
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (22-35) bounced back on Wednesday with a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-29), thanks to Cole Fontenelle's RBI single in the 10th inning. The Pandas out-hit the Blue Wahoos 12-11 and received another quality start from pitcher Walbert Ureña.
Hurtado stymies Barons 3-1 on Saturday night
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joel Hurtado (W, 5-4) delivered his team-best sixth quality start of the season on Saturday night, leading the Rocket City Trash Pandas (21-33) to a 3-1 victory over the Birmingham Barons (30-25). The win gives Rocket City a 3-2 advantage in the series, heading into the finale
Barons win slogfest over Trash Pandas 11-6
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Nelson Rada extended his league-leading on-base streak to 15 games on Friday night, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-33) fell 11-6, their second straight loss to the Birmingham Barons (30-24) at Regions Field. Rada recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-for-5 with a