Tom Nielsen (Triple-A), Dan Douglas (Double-A), Opie Cheek (Class A) and Israel Hinojosa III (Short-Season/Rookie) have been named classification winners in the annual Sports Turf Managers of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). Hinojosa III, who tended to the Greeneville Astros’ Pioneer Park this past season, was also the Short-Season/Rookie honoree in 2008.
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 their league’s top spots turf manager last year.
The four classification winners, who were chosen from among 17 league winners, will receive their award at the December 7 Baseball Winter Meetings™ Awards Luncheon in Indianapolis, Ind.
The league winners:
LEAGUE WINNER CLUB
International League Tom Nielsen Louisville Bats
Pacific Coast League Eric Blanton Reno Aces
Mexican League Florencio Vidal Miranda Quintana Roo Tigers
Eastern League Dan Douglas Reading Phillies
Southern League Ed Attalla Jacksonville Suns
Texas League Garrett Reddehase Corpus Christi Hooks
California League Peter Hayes Lake Elsinore Storm
Carolina League (tie) Chris Ball Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Stephen Watson Kinston Indians
Florida State League Opie Cheek Clearwater Threshers
Midwest League Dan Jennings Great Lakes Loons
South Atlantic League Mike Williams Charleston RiverDogs
New York-Penn League Jeff Paolino Lowell Spinners
Northwest League Brennan Prestley Spokane Indians
Appalachian League Israel Hinojosa III Greeneville Astros
Pioneer League Nephi Peterson Orem Owlz
Gulf Coast League Terry Slawson Gulf Coast Twins