Blake Anderson, assistant director of sports turf operations at the University of Arkansas, is the winner of the third annual ballpark Mowing Patterns Contest from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).
Anderson was selected via a Facebook voting contest from October 21 to November 20 for his intricate design at Baum Stadium, home to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. Tyler Carr, his student assistant, helped craft the mowing pattern.
“Blake is our first winner at the collegiate level, and he has set a high bar for future winners,” says Kim Heck, STMA CEO. “His work at Baum Stadium is not only stunning for viewers, but the student-athletes who use the field benefit from its well-maintained and safe playing surface.”
Formerly the assistant grounds manager at The Westminster Schools (Atlanta, Ga.), Anderson’s resume includes experience with the Atlanta Braves and Lexington Legends (Low A; Sally League). He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
Last year’s winner was Ben Young, former Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) head groundskeeper who is currently the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) head groundskeeper. The inaugural winner was Joey Stevenson, head groundskeeper for the Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League). In 2013, the Purdue graduate received the “Sports Turf Manager of the Year Award” for the third year in a row from STMA and Minor League Baseball in the Triple-A division.