PGMS Cincinnati Branch News

Cincinnati Branch Spends Day at the Ball Park

On August 31, the Greater Cincinnati Branch arranged an extra-special program for PGMS members and invited guests ---- a private tour of the grounds of the Great American Ball Park. Located on the winding banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Great American Ball Park serves as the home of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball's first professional franchise.

Opened in 2003, this young baseball park has been praised for its innovative features, breathtaking views, affordable seating options, and homage to the Reds' rich history. Crosley Terrace statues, Italian-marble mosaics, famous-dates banners and a nostalgic Sun/Moon Deck are just a handful of features that give this modern structure an historic influence. Horticulturally speaking, the Great American Ball Park includes an extensive rose garden, landscaped exterior concourses and public spaces, and over two acres of professionally maintained sports turf.

Doug Gallant, the Park's head groundskeeper, gave the Cincinnati Branch a tour of the field and facilities, and hosted an in-depth question-and-answer session in the dug-out. Doug was an excellent and knowledgeable host, and Branch members were impressed with his job duties, accomplishments, and unique challenges.

Some of the grounds maintenance facts Doug shared with the group were:

  • There are over 100 games and events held on the field each season.
  • On game day, Doug is at the park from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (if a night game is followed with an afternoon game, he often just spends the night sleeping in his office!)
  • There are three full-time, professional grounds management staff and 15 to 20 part-time positions during the baseball season.
  • The dirt surfaces of the infield, batter's box, and warning track are the #1 concern of the players; it consists of 70 % sand,15% silt, and 5% clay. Doug and his staff spend approximately 80% of their time and energy on the infield surfaces and 20% on the turf.
  • Doug employs a "grow blanket" in the spring for the turf to gain a 2 to 3 week head start on the growing season, and because of the micro-climate created by the stadium and heat retained by the hardscape areas, Doug continues to mow into December.
  • The turf is fertilized with 8 pounds of nitrogen per year, and soil testing is performed 3 to 4 times a year.
  • The field turf is maintained at a height of 1 ¼-inch, and is mowed every day there is a home game and every other day during Reds road trips.
  • Improvements planned to prepare for the next season is to improve field drainage and to switch the turf from a bluegrass blend to a mixture of five improved varieties of ryegrass.
  • Doug stays current on sports turf and field maintenance issues by consulting with Ohio State University researchers and extension agents, other professional sports venue grounds managers, and through PGMS meetings and publications.

It was a comfortable summer's afternoon and 21 people participated in this event. Organizations represented were: Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Xavier University, Davey Resource Group, Peter Wimberg Landscaping, H. J. Benkins, and Tru-Green Chemlawn.

A special Branch thank you goes to Denny Baker at Cincinnati State for setting up this great program. Again, our many thanks to Doug Gallant for hosting our educational program.

For more information on this program or the activities of the Greater Cincinnati Branch, please contact Branch President Jenny Gulick at 859-384-8259 or email at jgulick@davey.com.

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