Casey Griffin Receives PCL Presidential Commendation
August 28, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Albuquerque Isotopes Director of Field Operations Casey Griffin received a Presidential Commendation from Pacific Coast League President Branch B. Rickey for his excellence in sports turf management for the 2015 season, the league office announced Friday morning.
"It's an honor to be recognized by PCL President Branch Rickey, and it represents the efforts of our entire grounds crew this season," Griffin said. "Without the contributions of Clint Belau, Davin Sandia, Oscar Del Real and our game-day staff, this recognition wouldn't be achievable. We are fortunate enough to have a dedicated staff that works tirelessly to ensure our field is in its best condition everyday." Griffin is in his third season as Director of Field Operations, having originally joined the Isotopes organization in 2009.
After working four years in the golf course industry, Griffin gained interest in sports turf to follow his passion for baseball. The native of Salem, Oregon, spent time on the Class-A Short Season Eugene Emeralds' grounds crew, before pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Turf Management at Oregon State University. At OSU he tended to the athletic facilities primarily working on the baseball, softball and soccer fields. Once he completed his degree in 2008, Griffin moved to Albuquerque to join the Isotopes' staff.
"This recognition is richly deserved, and is a recognition of the talents and efforts of the entire grounds crew," Isotopes General Manager John Traub said. "Casey, Clint, Davin, Oscar, in addition to the game-day employees, should all feel a tremendous amount of pride with this distinction. The field - it's aesthetics and playability - is such a big part of who we are and is a great representation of our organization."
This is just the latest award for the highly-decorated Isotopes Park grounds crew, having previously won PCL Groundskeeper of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2014 as well as the Triple-A award in 2008, Professional Field of the Year in 2007 and 2013, Collegiate Field of the Year in 2004, multiple PCL Honorable Mentions, plus many other accolades. Following the 2013 campaign, Griffin was awarded the STMA Professional Field of the Year, given to the top playing surface in all of professional baseball.
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