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 Manager of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).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 Manager 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.
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