Dell Diamond Recognized as Baseball Field of the Year by Texas Turfgrass Association

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Texas Turfgrass Association has named Dell Diamond, home of the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express, the Baseball Field of the Year in 2015. The announcement came at the organization's annual meeting on Tuesday, December 15.

Led by head groundskeeper Garrett Reddehase, the Ryan Sanders Sports Services (RS3) Turf field crew at Dell Diamond worked tirelessly throughout the 2015 season, battling record floods on two separate occasions. During the historic Memorial Day floods, the field saw over six inches of water accumulate, covering the surface from the outfield wall to just behind second base. While the game that night was postponed due to the water, the team was able to play a doubleheader the next day due to the efforts put forth by Reddehase and his crew.

"It's a privilege to be recognized for our hard work and dedication to our profession," Reddehase said. "The weather created many challenges for us this year, but we battled through extreme conditions and extra events. Credit goes to assistant groundskeeper Sam Titchener, crew leader Eric Peckham and the entire RS3 Turf Crew. I'm very proud to be a part of one of the best sport field maintenance, construction, and renovation companies in the country."

In addition to the 74 Express games hosted at Dell Diamond this season, Reddehase and his crew were responsible for numerous other events, including an international soccer match, high school baseball, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) baseball state tournament, the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game, a celebrity softball game, music festivals and more.

The playing surface at Dell Diamond has been recognized multiple times in its 16-year history. In 2011 and 2013, the grounds crew received a Presidential Commendation from Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey III. Additionally, Reddehase was named PCL Sports Turf Manager of the Year in 2012 for his work at Dell Diamond. In 2004 and '05, former groundskeeper Dennis Klein was named STMA/Minor League Baseball Sports Turf Manager of the Year for Double-A and Triple-A Baseball respectively.

To be recognized as a Field of the Year by the Turfgrass Association, the field must be two years or older and under the continuous care of the same field turf manager for at least two years.

For more information on RS3 Turf, visit their website. For more information on the Express, visit RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255! Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!