Dell Diamond, Whataburger Field set the standard
Published on November 17, 2005 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
(CORPUS CHRISTI, TX) - The best playing surfaces at the top two levels of minor league baseball are the Dell Diamond and Whataburger Field, the two facilities operated by Ryan-Sanders Baseball. This news was announced today by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), which named Dennis Klein as its Sports Turf Manager of the Year in Triple-A and Brad Detmore as its Double-A classification winner. The awards will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas next month.
Klein was again recognized for his superlative work on the playing surface at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, where he has been the primary field superintendent since the construction of that facility prior to the 2000 season. Detmore, who for two years worked as Klein's top assistant in Round Rock, groomed and manicured the playing surface at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi to earn the distinction of having the best field among the 30 Double-A facilities throughout the country. Plus, this accomplishment comes to Brad in his first season as a head groundskeeper.
"Clearly, the hard work and methods used by Dennis and Brad speak for themselves," stated Ryan-Sanders Baseball Chief Operating Officer Jay Miller. "These men are completely dedicated to their profession and take a tremendous amount of pride in what they do, and it shows. We are fortunate as an organization to have them both, and I know the players and coaching staffs that come through Round Rock and Corpus Christi feel fortunate as well."
This is the second year that the Sports Turf Managers Association has teamed up with Minor League Baseball to recognize the top groundskeepers at each level of the minors. Klein was also the Double-A classification winner at Round Rock for the 2004 season.
"Dennis has set the gold standard for groundskeepers in the game of baseball," added Ryan-Sanders Baseball Chief Executive Officer Reid Ryan. "It is very rewarding to see Brad follow in Dennis' footsteps by keeping the Texas League Field of the Year in the Ryan-Sanders family."
Having their top farmhands compete on the best playing surfaces in the game is a major benefit to the Astros' organization. "Once again the Ryan-Sanders Baseball group has produced award-winning grounds crews at the best facilities in minor league baseball," said Houston General Manager Tim Purpura, who directed the Astros' minor league operations for seven years before ascending to his current position. "We sincerely thank them and congratulate Dennis and Brad on their latest accomplishment."
Hooks' President J.J. Gottsch, who spent four seasons in the Round Rock front office, added that the recognition for both Dennis and Brad is a reward of sorts for baseball fans and supporters in both locales. "I'm happy for each city as well," said Gottsch. "Both Round Rock and Corpus Christi have been great partners to us. They (the cities) believed in Ryan-Sanders Baseball, and they are both being rewarded for their investments."
In addition to Klein and Detmore, the other classification winners in minor league baseball are Chris Ralston of the Single-A Bakersfield Blaze (California League) and Ken Kopinski of the Rookie level Ogden Raptors (Pioneer League).
Quick Facts: Dell Diamond & Whataburger Field
- Dell Diamond built in 2000
- Whataburger Field built in 2005
- Both fields designed and overall installation coordinated by W.O. & David Adams Construction of Dallas
- Grass for both facilities supplied by Turfgrass America in Poteet, Texas
- Number of Express' games played at the Dell Diamond - 441
- Number of Hooks' games played at Whataburger Field - 70
- Number of combined rainouts at both facilities - 0
- In addition to being the home of the Express, the Dell Diamond is also the host of the Texas UIL State Baseball Championships and the Maxwell Auto Group Round Rock College Classic
- In addition to being the home of the Hooks, Whataburger Field hosts UIL baseball playoffs games, and will host the first Whataburger College Classic in March of 2006. Whataburger Field will also host selected Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Islander baseball games in the coming 2006 season.
Texas League Stories from November 17, 2005
- Dell Diamond, Whataburger Field set the standard - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cardinals Team Up For "Homeward Bound" - Springfield Cardinals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
