Fisher Cats Win Pioneer Field of Excellence Award
August 27, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, are proud to announce that the playing surface at Merchantsauto.com Stadium has been selected as the Pioneer® Athletics 2008 Field of Excellence® as the top field among all New England professional teams, colleges, universities, high schools and park & recreation departments. The Fisher Cats turf crew received a national certificate of recognition and a Field of Excellence banner prior to Wednesday night's Fisher Cats/Harrisburg Senators game at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The Fisher Cats first-year Head Turf Manager is Shaun Meredith, and the Assistant Turf Manager is Brian Schools. They are joined on the staff by Shaun McDougall, George MacLellan and Peter MacLellan.
"We congratulate Shaun, Brian and their staff for the wonderful job they have done in maintaining the best sports field in New England," said Fisher Cats President Rick Brenner. "We recognize that the long hours and ever-changing conditions make turf management one of the most challenging aspects of a baseball operation, and we are proud that our turf crew has been rewarded for their commitment to excellence."
Meredith, a Pittsburgh, PA, native, joined the Fisher Cats front office in February after finishing the 2008 season as the Head Turf Manager of the State College (PA) Spikes, where he spent three previous years as Assistant Turf Manager. In 2006, State College's Medlar Field was named the NY-Penn League Field of the Year. Prior to working with the Spikes, Shaun was a member of the Beaver Stadium grounds crew at Penn State University, handling multiple sports and complexes between 2004 and 2005. He held an internship with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the summer of 2004, working closely with the Sports Turf Manager at PNC Park. Meredith graduated from Penn State in 2005 with a B.S. in Turfgrass Science and currently resides in Manchester.
The 2009 season is Schools' first full year with the Fisher Cats. Brian began his career with the club in 2008 after completing his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from Saint Joseph's College of Maine. He served as the captain of the Saint Joseph's College Monks baseball team in 2007-2008 and is continuing his education by earning his Turf Degree from Ohio State University. A native of Southern Maine, Brian now resides in Manchester.
Pioneer understands that excellence in athletic field maintenance goes unrecognized and often, unappreciated. The Field of Excellence Award Program honors outstanding athletic fields and the hardworking field crews who diligently maintain them. The Field of Excellence Award Program was established in 1998 and has honored over 315 athletic fields from around the country since its creation.
The Fisher Cats host the Harrisburg Senators tonight at 7:05pm in the finale of their three-game series. It is Citizens Bank Kids Run The Show Night, and an Atlas Fireworks Show follows the game. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.
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