World Series Hero Jack Morris Set to Keynote Fall Workshop VOL. 2, NO. 3 FALL 2012 NEWS Minnesota Twins World Series hero Jack Morris is set to keynote this year's Fall Workshop on Wednesday, September 5 at the Oxford Community Center located on Lexington Parkway in St. Paul. Also on hand will be Dr. J. Tim Vanini, Ph.D, New York, along with Connie Fortin, Fortin Consulting. Take advantage of this oppor- tunity to hear from one of our country’s finest educators in the turfgrass industry! Vendors will display equipment in the afternoon between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. The athletic fields are both synthetic and natu- ral turf. Make plans to join your vendors and customers for a worthwhile day of education and a trip down memory lane with Jack Morris. Tim Vanini is a writer, speaker, turf- grass scientist, and co-inventor of a top- dressing crumb rubber to natural turfgrass systems. He has worked and consulted on golf courses, sports fields and lawns. Dr. Vanini studied Ornamental Horticulture at Cornell University (B.S.) and Turfgrass Science at Michigan State University (M.S., Ph.D.). Dr. Vanini is continuously researching the most up-to-date products and management strategies for sound environ- mental stewardship. In 1993 and 1994, Vanini was intimately involved with construction and management of the portable turf field system implemented at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit for the 1994 World Cup. At Nichols School, he pro- vided expertise for sports field and landscape management for the campus as well as two sports field construction projects. Troy Carson, The Toro Company, will discuss the variability in hard- ness (Gmax) that can exist across an athletic field, examine some of the causes of the variability, and look at a mobile platform that can collect hundreds of Gmax values for an entire field in less than an hour. Dave Hanson, Park Maintenance Supervisor, City of Bloomington, will address the relationship between the Park and Recreation Department and Park Maintenance. M P S T M A www.mpstma.org NEWS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA PARK AND SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION Agenda 7:00 - 7:45 a.m. REGISTRATION 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. Welcome from the City of St. Paul History of Oxford Community Center 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Tim Vanini, Turfgrass Scientist, New York 9:40 - 10:30 a.m. (option 1) Troy Carson, The Toro Company Synthetic Terra Firma and Concussions: Understanding the variability in hardness across synthetic and natural fields 9:40 - 10:30 a.m. (option 2) Bill Johnson, Flanagan Sales, Inc. Playground Safety and the Importance of Resilient Surfacing 10:30 - 12:00 noon Dedicated Vendor Time at Dunning Fields Vendors introduce themselves and their businesses Tabletops & Equipment Displays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - LUNCH 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Jack Morris 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. Dave Hanson, City of Bloomington Addressing the Relationship Between the Park and Rec Department and Park Maintenance
Transcript
World Series Hero Jack MorrisSet to Keynote Fall Workshop
VOL. 2, NO. 3 FALL 2012
NEWS
Minnesota Twins World Series hero Jack Morris is set to keynote thisyear's Fall Workshop on Wednesday, September 5 at the OxfordCommunity Center located on Lexington Parkway in St. Paul. Also on
hand will be Dr. J. Tim Vanini, Ph.D, NewYork, along with Connie Fortin, FortinConsulting. Take advantage of this oppor-tunity to hear from one of our country’sfinest educators in the turfgrass industry!Vendors will display equipment in theafternoon between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Theathletic fields are both synthetic and natu-ral turf. Make plans to join your vendorsand customers for a worthwhile day ofeducation and a trip down memory lanewith Jack Morris.
Tim Vanini is a writer, speaker, turf-grass scientist, and co-inventor of a top-dressing crumb rubber to natural turfgrasssystems. He has worked and consulted on
golf courses, sports fields and lawns. Dr. Vanini studied OrnamentalHorticulture at Cornell University (B.S.) and Turfgrass Science at MichiganState University (M.S., Ph.D.). Dr. Vanini is continuously researching themost up-to-date products and management strategies for sound environ-mental stewardship.
In 1993 and 1994, Vanini was intimately involved with construction andmanagement of the portable turf field system implemented at the PontiacSilverdome in Detroit for the 1994 World Cup. At Nichols School, he pro-vided expertise for sports field and landscape management for the campusas well as two sports field construction projects.
Troy Carson, The Toro Company, will discuss the variability in hard-ness (Gmax) that can exist across an athletic field, examine some of thecauses of the variability, and look at a mobile platform that can collecthundreds of Gmax values for an entire field in less than an hour.
Dave Hanson, Park Maintenance Supervisor, City of Bloomington, willaddress the relationship between the Park and Recreation Department andPark Maintenance.
M P S T M A
www.mpstma.org
NEWSTHE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA PARK AND SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
Agenda
7:00 - 7:45 a.m.REGISTRATION
7:45 - 8:00 a.m.Welcome from the City of St. PaulHistory of Oxford Community Center
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.Tim Vanini, Turfgrass Scientist, New York
9:40 - 10:30 a.m. (option 1)Troy Carson, The Toro Company
Synthetic Terra Firma and Concussions: Understanding the variability in hardness
across synthetic and natural fields
9:40 - 10:30 a.m. (option 2)Bill Johnson, Flanagan Sales, Inc.Playground Safety and the Importance
of Resilient Surfacing
10:30 - 12:00 noonDedicated Vendor Time at Dunning Fields
Vendors introduce themselves and their businessesTabletops & Equipment Displays
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - LUNCH
12:30 - 1:15 p.m.Keynote Speaker: Jack Morris
1:15 - 2:30 p.m.Dave Hanson, City of Bloomington
Addressing the Relationship Between the Parkand Rec Department and Park Maintenance
The MPSTMA Board of Directors has discussed trying something new and Iwanted to put a request for some feedback. We are considering an idea to host asocial gathering at the MNLA/MTGF Northern Green Expo in January we wouldlike to hear from membership if it’s a good idea or not.
Hospitality Night at the Green Expo
Here’s the concept: On Thursday (January 10) after the classes are over we planto have a gathering room available to our organization and guests to host a smallawards and recognition ceremony and social. We would consider a cash bar andsnacks. We chose Thursday because our Board meeting is that day, along withfree lunch and most of the Green Expo programming for parks and turf managersis that day.
In September, please look for a survey from the MPSTMA office about thisidea. Your feedback will be used to determine interest, practicality and otherideas. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Looking for Board Members
As fall approaches I also want to reach out and invite members to step forwardand take on a leadership role in our organization. We will have several openingson our Board in January. We are always looking for new faces and fresh ideas tohelp our organization move forward. The commitment is 2-4 hours a monthwhich is really quite minimal for the skills you’ll gain, the people you will meetand the pride you’ll feel helping others grow in your chosen profession. Pleasecontact myself or any other Board members for further information.
Regards,
David NozalDavid Nozal
President, Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association
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FALL 2012 www.mpstma.org MPSTMA NEWS 3
Public Private Partnership Brings MajorImprovements to Baldwin Park
By TOM KNISLEYThree Rivers Park District
Baldwin Park in Circle Pines received a major faceliftthanks to the teamwork of the Centennial Baseball League,the City of Circle Pines and the Minnesota Park and SportsTurf Managers Association, (MPSTMA).
The Centennial Baseball League has hosted literallyhundreds of home games at Baldwin Park over the years.But after years of heavy use, the ball field at the park wasin need of improvements. The City of Circle Pines agreed.But with tough economic times and tight budgets the citysimply couldn’t commit the kind of resources necessary tomake the changes. So a partnership was born. TheCentennial Baseball League and the city developed a planfor improving the ball fields. Improvements would includea new pitcher’s mound, grass base paths down the firstand third baselines, a new home plate area, a reworkedinfield, new warning track, an improved sprinkler system,and artificial turf lining the dugout areas. If the leaguecould raise the funds for the improvements the city wouldokay the work and provide assistance during construction.
Circle Pines Park Superintendent Dave Phipps said apartnership was the key to the project moving forward.“Partnering is the only way something like this is going tohappen. It’s how small towns get things done,” Phippssaid. With the blessing of the city, the Centennial BaseballLeague began their efforts to raise the resources for theproject. Local ballplayers sold raffle tickets and raisedroughly $7,000. A good start, but more was needed.Fortunately, the leagues grant writing efforts paid off.
And that’s when the Minnesota Park and Sports TurfManagers Association joined in. Each year this group oflandscaping, field maintenance and construction expertsgather donated, time, equipment, materials and expertisefrom vendors and local businesses in their profession.
They then bring all of those gathered resources together tocomplete one public service project a year. This year theychose the grant application that was submitted by theCentennial Baseball League.
So on August 8th ball players, families, city officials,and turf experts from the MPSTMA all gathered to giveBaldwin Park a makeover. Mike McDonald, CSFM, turfmanager for TCF Stadium, was the project manager for theBaldwin Park Redo. “We’ve been doing this for nineyears.” McDonald said. For McDonald it’s all about com-munity service. Paul Griffin who co-chaired the projectfor the MPSTMA agreed. ”This is a great opportunity forus to share our skills and help out local communities andbaseball associations,” Griffin said.
Bob Irlbeck, Field Manager for the Centennial BaseballLeague was grateful for the support. “It would be impossi-ble for a small baseball association to pull off a major proj-ect like this without the cooperation and support we’vereceived from the city, the turf managers and all the gener-ous businesses that donated, time labor, supplies andequipment,” Irlbeck said.
(Continued on Page 4)
Roger Weinbrenner, CSFM, University of St. Thomas.
4 MPSTMA NEWS www.mpstma.org FALL 2012
MPSTMA CommunityService Project-(Continued from Page 3)
The vendors and businesses thatdonated to this effort were: JohnDeere Landscapes, JRK Seed & TurfSupply, MagicTurfs, MTIDistributing Inc., Reinders Inc.,TerraMax, Tri State Bobcat, ToroCompany, Turfco, D. Ervasti Sales,The Tessman Company andTurfwerks.
So what do the ball playersthink? “I’m excited to play herenext year. It’s so much nicer now.Did you see that pitcher’s mound?It’s amazing,” said Carl Knisely whoplayed on the 13UAAA travelingteam this year.
Centennial Baseball League offerstraveling baseball at the AAA andAA levels and also fields in houseteams that compete in the NorthstarLeague. The league serves areayouth ages 13-19, who are from thecommunities of Circle Pines,Centerville, the Eastern portions ofBlaine, Lexington and Lino Lakes.
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Bob Frank, MTI Distributing Inc., and Paul Griffin, City of Woodbury.
Jon Almquist, The Toro Co., and Greg Hoag, City of Brooklyn Park.
FALL 2012 www.mpstma.org MPSTMA NEWS 5
MPSTMA VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 2012 CSP
Jon Almquist, The Toro CompanyGreg Bondy, TurfwerksGreg Brodd, TURFCO
Mike Brunelle, MagicTurfsMatt Cavanaugh, PBI Gordon
Joe Churchill, Reinders Inc.Bob Frank, MTI Distributing Inc.
Steve Gilbertson, City of Lino LakesLarry Gorman, MTI Distributing Inc.
Paul Griffin, City of WoodburyGreg Hoag, City of Brooklyn ParkMike Hoffman, City of Lino LakesJon Hummel, St. Anthony SchoolsAndy Johnson, TCF Bank Stadium
Mike Kelly, TerraMaxMike McDonald, CSFM, TCF Bank Stadium
Dave Nozal, Tree TrustMike Peschel, Property PropsGary Ringus, Property Props
Patrick Schoen, Tri-State BobcatMark Sullivan, TruGreenJeff Turtinen, MPSTMA
Troy von Holdt, TurfwerksRoger Weinbrenner, CSFM, University of St. Thomas
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6 MPSTMA NEWS www.mpstma.org FALL 2012
Have you looked at a bluegrass NTEP Trial lately? I’m guess-ing not and I’d wonder about you if you had. A good number ofyou might be wondering, “What’s an NTEP?”
The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National TurfgrassEvaluation Program evaluates new and existing turfgrass vari-eties for overall turf quality and performance based on severalcriteria. There’s an NTEP trial for all turf species includingKentucky bluegrass, the fine fescues, tall fescues, ryegrasses andbentgrasses. You can check them all out at www.ntep.org. Ifyou’d like help navigating through the reports or deciphering theresults, talk to your favorite seedman.
In the meantime, you’ll have to take my word for it -- blue-grass varieties are as widely varied as fish are in the sea. Thereare short ones, tall ones; there are light green ones and darkgreen ones; some grow more upright while others grow low tothe ground; there are even some that do well in light shade whilemost require full sun. Because of their broad genetic diversity,it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of
each variety when selecting the right bluegrass-based grass seedmixture.
This issue becomes most critical when selecting bluegrasses orbluegrass/ryegrass mixtures for seeding new ball fields or over-seeding existing ones. So how do you know which ones to use?
Allow me to present Exhibit A -- the Bluegrass ClassificationChart. Space does not allow us to reproduce it in this edition ofthe MPSTMA Newsletter. With a bit of effort on your part, youcan print off your very own copy at: http://www.sroseed.com /resources / pdfs / articles / KB_classifications.pdf
This Bluegrass Classification System was developed byRutgers University to help tell the story I’ve outlined above. Thisparticular version belongs to SRO and was “massaged” by Dr.Leah Brilman, Director of Turf Research & Technical Services atSeed Research of Oregon. There are 14 different classifications,believe it or not. To say it in a different way, there are 14 differ-ent “subsets” of bluegrasses. The Bluegrass Classification Systemlists most of today’s commercially available varieties and catego-rizes them based on similar growth characteristics. This particu-lar chart also highlights common traits shared by varieties withineach class. Very cool. Five of these classes are intended for use onhigh traffic turf much like what you would find on heavily usedathletic fields, courtyards and playgrounds.
The five classes are:1) Compact2) Compact Midnight3) Compact America4) High Density 5) Julia
The remaining nine classes, though worthy of recognition inother applications, are not specifically intended to be used inhigh-traffic situations. Will your ball fields spontaneously com-bust if you use varieties from one of these 9 classes? Of coursenot. But to expect high performing turf on intensely used ballfields grown from these varieties may be wishful thinking.
Not only do bluegrass varieties from these 14 bluegrass class-es vary significantly in terms of performance, appearance andturf quality, they also vary greatly in terms of cost. You wouldn’texpect a Mercedes SUV to be priced the same as a Ford stationwagon. Nor should you expect a bluegrass from one of the “Top5” to cost the same as a Shamrock or BVMG. That’s why whenyou get quotes for a 50/50 Blue/Rye Mix without knowing whatto ask for, you’ll receive a broad range of prices from $1.00/lb.up to $2.00/lb. Any 50/50 will serve you well in that neighbor-hood park or your neighbor’s backyard. But when your sitereceives 150-200 games per season, you’re best to stick with theMercedes. Simple translation -- consult your seed supplier andspecifically request a bluegrass/ryegrass mixture that includestwo or more varieties from one of the athletic turf bluegrassclasses. If you don’t, you’ll be stuck driving that station wagon.
BLUEGRASSES ARE STILL KINGBut You Can’t Treat Them All Equally
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The City of St. Louis Park hosted aMPSTMA Network Picnic at the beauti-ful Westwood Hills Nature Center onJuly 18.
Westwood Hills Nature Center is a160-acre natural area featuring marsh,woods and restored prairie. The preserveis beautiful throughout the seasons andprovides homes for many animalsincluding deer, fox, mink and owls.Westwood Naturalists conduct year-round programs to increase visitorsunderstanding and appreciation of ournatural world. The nature center is locat-ed just south of I-394 and east ofHighway 169. Parking and admission arefree. Wood chipped, boardwalks andhard surface accessible trails are openfrom dawn to dusk year-round.
The City of St. Louis Park's Rick Beaneand other SLP staff members led a tourof the Westwood Hills Nature Centerand provided a great BBQ rib lunch.
The Nature Center's Red-TailedHawk, pictured above right, needs dailycare and could live well into his 20s.
8 MPSTMA NEWS www.mpstma.org FALL 2012
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MPSTMA Visits Westwood Hills Nature Center forNetwork Picnic Hosted by City of St. Louis Park
SUMMER 2012 www.mpstma.org MPSTMA NEWS 9
The LED RevolutionBy SUDHIR SINGH
LightingHouseUSA, Inc.
(Editor’s Note: Sudhir is a Co-founder of LightingHouseUSA, Inc.,a Minnesota-based Manufacturer of LED lighting products forCommercial, Industrial and Roadway Lighting.)
For most of human history, we have created light from fire.Advances in the lighting technology from oil burning lamps, tothe incandescent light bulb to the florescent and HID, havebrought incremental improvements to the same concept: lightgenerated from heat.
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Light emitting diode (LED) is a quantum leap beyond creat-ing light as a by-product of heat. LED is a solid state technologythat converts over 90% of electrical energy to light compared tojust 10%-60% for the traditional technologies
According to the United States Department of Energy (DoE),the potential savings from LEDs could save us 190TWh of energyuse annually, or enough electricity to light 95 million homes, orthe annual output of 24 large power plants.
In addition to the energy savings, the LEDs offer the followingadvantages:
Extremely Long Life
Unlike the filament or gas-filled technologies, well-designedLED products can last upwards of 100,000 hours.
Reduced Operating Cost
Because of the extremely long life of the technology, 4-5maintenance events are avoided and help reduce operating costof the facility.
Improved Security
Unlike the High Pressure Sodium technology (HPS – a com-monly used lighting technology), the color emitted by the LED isfull-spectrum light (white color). This helps improves the visibili-ty and security of the facility.
Bass Lake Playfield, Plymouth, MNLit with LED lights
10 MPSTMA NEWS www.mpstma.org FALL 2012
LED Lighting- (Continued from Page 9)
Instant On/Off Feature
Unlike LEDs, the traditional technologies can take up to 20minutes to reach full brightness.
Environment-Friendly
LED lighting contains none of the hazardous mercury andother toxins used in many traditional light sources.
Light Pollution Reduction
LED lighting is dark-sky friendly and help reduce the lightpollution.
Thermal Savings
Since LEDs generate a lot less heat, facilities lit with LEDssave 30%-40% on their cooling costs.
Due to these benefits, the LED market is poised for a signifi-cant growth in the near future and is slated to replace over sixbillion bulbs in the US alone.
According to the market research firm Strategies Unlimited,the sale of LEDs for general purpose lighting accounted for just$340 million in 2007. This is supposed to reach over $7.3 billionin 2014, representing CAGR of over 44%.
The use of low energy LED technology is further being helpedby the available rebates by utility companies.
OHV Park, DNR, Gilbert, MN
JANUARY 8, 2013
Spend a Day with Top EntomologistsFrom Minnesota and Wisconsin
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Iowa sports turf managers traveled north to Blaine, MNto take part in the Minnesota / Iowa Chapter Clash. TheClash is an annual softball/golf event that’s been takingplace for many years. Bocce ball has now become an offi-cial sport for the Chapter Clash.
Ben Wallin, Assistant Superintendent at the NationalSports Center, hosted a tour of the facilities and organizedan outstanding event.
This year, Minnesota won softball, golf and bocce ballfor an official sweep. Minnesota jumped out to a quick 4-0lead in softball but Iowa chipped away and made thegame close at the end with a final of 8-6. Golf also wentMinnesota’s way winning 2-1-1 in the golf matches.
Bocce Ball, an exhibition sport last year, is now an offi-cial Chapter Clash event. Minnesota has never lost to Iowain Bocce Ball.
All MPSTMA members are invited and encouraged toparticipate in the 2013 event which will be held next Julyin Iowa. Mike McDonald, CSFM, TCF Bank Stadium, andPaul Griffin, City of Woodbury, annually co-chair thisevent for the MPSTMA.
FALL 2012 www.mpstma.org MPSTMA NEWS 11
Minnesota Sweeps Iowa in Chapter ClashAt National Sports Center in Blaine
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Chapter Clash Host Ben Wallin, yellow hat, guides a tour of theHelodrome at the Blaine National Sports Center before the softball gameon Friday afternoon against Iowa sports turf managers. Bottom left:Checking out the indoor soccer facility at the NSC.
