From preliminary design to final grow-in, building or renovating a field complex can be, well, complex. This field building seminar will help you avoid costly mistakes and give you ideas for stretching your construction dollars for maximum value. From former Major League groundskeepers and turfgrass professionals you’ll learn critical design, construction, and maintenance features that will directly impact the cost, playability, and safety of your new facility.

Most projects receive funding only once. The Beacon Field Building Seminar is designed to empower you with the understanding and foresight to make sure you’re able to get it right the first time. Especially since it may be the only time. It’s what you need to know.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Park, recreation or public works superintendents and facilities managers; school athletic directors; youth sports organizations; private sports complex operators; municipal planners.

Paul Zwaska is a former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles and has over 30 years of groundskeeping experience. Paul earned a B.S. degree in Soil Science with a specialty in Turf & Grounds Management from the University of Wisconsin. He joined Beacon in 2000.

Raechal Volkening is the owner of Volkening Consulting and is a certified sports fi eld manager. She has was a professional head groundskeeper from 1997 – 2000 before serving as grounds manager for seven years at Miller Park for the Milwaukee Brewers. Rachel has a B.S. in Horticulture/Turf Management from the University of Wisconsin and was involved with the 2002 Major League All-Star Game, Super Bowl XXXVII, and the filming of Mr. 3000.

Steve Peeler served as President of his own sports construction firm before joining FIELDS as the Director of Sport Field Project Management in 2007. A well-known expert in natural and synthetic turf design, Steve has extensive hands-on field management experience with the MLB, the NFL and the NCAA. His MLB field manager background includes Busch Stadium, PNC Park, Safeco Field, LP Franns Stadium and Roger Dean Stadium.

Schedule:

Beacon Field Maintenance Seminars combine presentation, demonstration, video and general discussion to provide in-depth coverage of the feature topic. For reference when you return home, each attendee receives a binder containing presentation slides and materials, including the Field Dimensions Guide!

Paul Zwaska is a former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles and has over 30 years of groundskeeping experience. Paul earned a B.S. degree in Soil Science with a specialty in Turf & Grounds Management from the University of Wisconsin. He joined Beacon in 2000.

Nicole Sherry is the head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles. Previously a grounds assistant at Camden Yards, Nicole was also the head groundskeeper for the minor league Trenton Thunder. She holds a B.S. degree in General Agriculture from the University of Delaware.

Steve Wightman has over 30 years of sports field management experience. Since 1988, Steve has been the Turf Manager at Qualcomm Stadium where he manages the playing field for the San Diego Chargers, San Diego State football, the Holiday Bowl, international soccer, concerts, and other sporting and non-sporting events. Steve teaches Golf Course and Sports Turf Management at Cuyamaca College.

Morning Classroom

1. Infield Soils & Topdressings
   1. Goals of an infield skin
   2. Infield skin base soils
   3. Infield skin topdressings
   4. Choosing the right topdressing for your situation
2. Managing Infields
   1. Maintaining surface grade
   2. Lip management
   3. Dragging protocol
   4. Moisture management
3. Irrigation Basics & Beyond
   1. Basic irrigation hydraulics
   2. Basic design & component criteria
   3. Proper irrigation scheduling

Afternoon On-Field

1. Demonstration & Instruction
   1. Maintaining infield skin grade
   2. Lip management
   3. Mound maintenance
   4. Home plate area maintenance
   5. Lining materials & equipment

Experts from Beacon Athletics, Toro, and Diamond Pro have again joined forces to create the ultimate seminar learning experience! Comprehensive sessions combine hands-on and classroom instruction to give you proven techniques and skills to enhance your field maintenance knowledge.

Earn Credits!
STMA has developed a certification program for sports turf managers, Certified Sports Field Mangers (CSFM), recognizing the importance of fostering and improving professionalism within the sports turf industry. Attending an AFM forum will earn you 0.6 CEU’s in Continuing Education Points.

Dale Getz — The Toro Company, and former Superintendant of Golf at the University of Notre Dame where he worked for 17 years and has published numerous articles on sports turf management.

Paul Zwaska — Beacon Athletics, and former Head Groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles with 30 years of grounds experience.

Tom Burns — Diamond Pro, and former Head Groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers, is widely known and respected as one of the top groundskeepers in Major League Baseball.

Boyd Montgomery — The Toro Company, and former Facilies and Maintenance Director at Sylvania Recreation Corp. Has published numberous articles on sports turf management and operations.