According to an article on www.milb.com, RS3 Turf, a division of Ryan Sanders Baseball, announced that the company will be offering a custom line of Nolan Ryan-branded sports field materials in partnership with Texas-based Whittlesey Landscape Supplies. The custom “NR34” brand will include an exclusive line of products ranging from calcined clay conditioner, mound clays, infield mixes, drying agents, chalk and warning track material.
Ryan Sanders Baseball was started in 1998 by Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, his sons Reid and Reese, Houston businessman Don Sanders and his sons, Bret and Brad, and several other former MLB All-Stars including Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens, Jeff Kent and Andy Pettitte. In addition to RS3 Turf, Ryan Sanders Baseball is also the holding company for the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Ryan Sanders Baseball, RS3 and specifically our turf services division,” Ryan Sanders Baseball CEO Reese Ryan said. “This is a natural extension of our brand and allows us to be involved in the game in yet another capacity.”
Whittlesey has been family-owned and operated in Central Texas since 1975. Since its inception, it has founded itself on customer service and quality products. Manufacturing the majority of what they sell in conjunction with premier logistics gives Whittlesey a strategic advantage, all while providing the customer with a turn key solution which has vertically integrated Whittlesey into Central Texas’s premier manufacturer and distributor of landscape, construction and athletic products.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ryan Sanders Baseball and RS3,” Whittlesey Landscape Supplies President Clayton Whittlesey said. “Our team has worked methodically to provide a sustainable supply chain along with a quality product. We are grateful for our alliance with RS3 and look forward to a long-standing partnership.”
NR34 sport field products are derived from montmorillonite clay, which produces the highest grade of calcined aggregate products in North America. The NR34 branded products will meet some of the tightest and most durable specifications in the industry. In addition, the NR34 brand will also offer an industry first “Black Label” line which includes patented technology designed to last longer, reduce dust and water usage, maintain the enriched color and provide better, safer playability – all while using 25% less product than groundskeepers use today.
“RS3 Turf is honored to introduce the NR34 brand and partner with Whittlesey Landscape Supplies,” RS3 Turf Senior Vice President Garrett Reddehase said. “This has been a tedious process and the materials have been hand-selected and tested to exceed expectations on quality, aesthetic appearance, player safety and affordability. These products are going to become a great resource to turf managers across the country and help deliver professional quality at an affordable price.”
Bagged products will include two types of calcined clay infield conditioner, two types of mound and home plate clay, a calcined clay drying agent and field chalk. The NR34 materials will be available in both bag and bulk quantities. The RS3 and Whittlesey partnership will also give customers the opportunity to create custom blend infield mixes, warning track and root zones to meet specific criteria. These custom-blended materials can help amend existing infield mixes to meet desired specifications and playability without the cost of removing the material and adding new.
A portion of the profits from the sales of these products will go to the Nolan Ryan Foundation. A 501(c)(3) organization established in Alvin, Texas in 1990, the Nolan Ryan Foundation provides resources for youth, education and community development. In 2017, the Nolan Ryan Foundation relocated to Round Rock, Texas with aspirations of expanding programming statewide. New programs include a scholarship endowment, currently funding 11 students, a paid summer internship and a community grant program.
Products will be able to be found in both bag and bulk in several different locations including Fielder’s Choice in Houston, Whataburger Field in South Texas (home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros), Amarillo Ballpark in the Texas Panhandle (home of the yet-to-be-named Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres) or directly through RS3 Turf and Whittlesey Landscape Supplies. Ryan Sanders Sports Services (RS3 Turf) is also listed on the Buy Board cooperative purchasing site, which is available through the Texas Association of School Boards.