The heritage of advanced design and durability is evident in the new Cat- C-Series Multi-Terrain loader.Just like legendary big Cat machines, elevated tracks and oscillating bogie wheels work together todeliver a smoother ride with the lightest footprint in the industry. A new undercarriage design meanseasier clean-out and maintenance. And whether you buy or rent, you can count on Cat for the bestin dealer support to keep you up and running. BE PART OFTHE LEGACY.

CAT.COM/LANDSCAPING !t·8DD·RENT-CAT !t·888·DWN·A·CAT

CAJERPILLAR®102007 Coterpillar Inc. All rights reseried. CAT,CATERPILLAR,their respeclive IlllJOs, "Catorpillar Yellow" ao~ Ihe POWER EDGEIradedress,"s wen,," corporate an~ pr,,""ct idenlily used herein, are trademark, of Caterpillar end mal not be used withoul permission.

Fill in 110 on reader service form or vi,il http://one ... hotims.~omI12051· 110

TODAY'S WORK. TOMORROW'S WDRLD~

RAIN®IRRIGATION SOLUTiONS

WORLDWIDE'

Contents June 2007 V1llUME 13/ NUMBER 6

FEATURESField Science8 Seeding strategies that work

Facilities & Operations16 Tailoring contracted maintenance

to fit municipal needs

24 Baseball in China: Preparing for 2008

32 Distributor's diary: renovation in New York

Pest of lite Monllt38 Sod webworms

Tools & Equipment40 Compact loaders

Irrigation & Drainage42 New product introductions

STMA Field of lite Year43 Jon DeWitt. Wesleyan School win Schools/Parks

Baseball award

4 June 2007

38

DEPARTMENTSFrom the Sidelines ... 6

STMA President's Message . 7

John Mascaro's Photo Quiz 12

STMA In Action/SAFE Foundation . 46

STMA Chapter News 48

Marketplace 49-51

.52

.53

Online Education .

Advertisers' Index.

Reader Information Form(Green Mediator)

Q&A .

.53

.54

On the cover: The Sports Turf Managers Association's2006 Schools/Parks Baseball Field of the Year Is

Gaebeleln Field at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA.

www.greenmediaonline.com

Fax to: (785) 843-2977

Or mail with payment to:Sports TurfManagers AssociationPO. Box 414029Kansas City, MO 64141

"l know Iam a bettersports turf managerbecause of thisassociation. As sportsturf managers, we takethe challenge seriouslyto make our fields thebest possible for the nextgame- The resources Ihave access to through.STMA helps me do it. "

- Bob Campbef!, CSFMHigher EducationMembership Segment

,,,: Cuti Here

~,: to: Fax•: or: Mail

Membership Application

Experts on the Field, Partners in the Game.

Name Title

Employer! Facility

o Business o Home

Address

City State Zip

Home phone Work phone Cell phone

Fax Email

Signature

Direct Supervisor Name

Membership Category:o Sports Turf Manager $110

o Sports Turf Manager Associate" (Additional member(sl from the same facility) $75

Please select the primary facility type where you are employed:O Professional Sports 0 Higher Education 0 Schools K-120 Parks and Recreation

I:] Academic $95I:] Student (verification of enrollment] $25I:] Commercial $295

I:] Commercial Associate" (Additional membedsl from the same commercial company) $75

I:] Affiliate (Person who is indirectly or on a part-time basis. involved in themaintenance/management of sports fields) $50

I:] Chapter Dues (contact headquarters for amount)Chapter name I $, _

I:] Contribution To SAFE Foundation [research. education and scholarship): $, _

Total Amount Enclosed: $ _

Payment Method:I:] Check I:] Money Order I:] Purchase Order #: _

Credit Card: I:] Mastercard I:] Visa I:] American Express I:] Discover

Name on Card

Card #: Exp. Date:

Signature:

"There must already be a national sports turf manager from your facility or commercial member from yourcompany before you may sign up in the Associate category

Phone: 800-323-3875 www.sportsturfmanager.orgFillin 112 on reader service form orvi.it http://oners.hotlm •. comI120S1-'12

From the SidelinesTurfgrass seed

prices will increase

ERIC SCHRODEREditor

eschroder@mzmernaaeo.corn

717-805-4197P.O. Box 280,

Dauphin, PA 17018

6 June 2007

T urfgrass seed companies are scrambling now to make deals andsign 2007 production contracts with growers. Getting supplyagreements is tough in today's market, which has seen anincreased demand for acres LO grow corn and wheat fuel the

(pun intended) "craze for bio-diesel and ethanol."GlennJacklin, director of operations at Jacklin Seed, a division of

Simplol, says all species of turfgrass prices are on the rise. "The demandfor acres to grow crops other-than turfgrass is rising, so the supply of acresis decreasing_ TIle high commodity prices mean shrinking acreage for us,"Jacklin says. "There's a tight market coming this fall for 200f{ production."

Another factor in higher seed prices, particularly for bluegrass, is arecent change in Idaho law that prohibits open field burning. "This issueis playing a big part in the instability of the market," says Jacklin. Thestate produces 4,0% of the country's bluegrass needs, says Jacklin, but theno-burn law (bluegrass yields drop Significantly if there is no burning atleast every 2 years) won't stop bluegrass production entirely.

"Sixty-five to 70% of bluegrass production is done on Indian reserva-tions, which operate under entirely different rules than the rest of thecountry," says Jacklin. "That rakes the sting out of Idaho's decision.

"The ripple effect however is that wheat growers won't be able tobum their wheat stubble this year, which means right now 2008 and2009 look bleak," he says.

Another plus is that there's no burning necessary to get good bluegrassyields in the Columbia Basin of Washington State. "Processors can secureacreage in this region but it costs more money per acre to do so," saysJacklin. "There will be availability of bluegrass in the fall and next springbut it will be tighter than in the past. It remains to be seen just how tight."

Jacklin says end users can expect to see a 15-20% increase in the priceof bluegrass seed. "The COSl of energy for producers has doubled; growerand supplier costs are up, In tlJe past research has produced super yield-ing crop~ without compromising quality but I'm not sure yet what theanswers are now," he says.

"Seed price levels have languished since the 1980's because of thesehigher-yield advancements but it's catching up to us now,"Jacklin says."The market is basically crashing. Genetic advancements that increaseyields will be incremental now."

Jacklin says he's having fun with the new situation and that it has"revved up his engines" as he works now to set up supply agreements."All seed companies arc in the same boat; you can expect higher prices forawhile," he says. "Those that offer the best customer service will 'win'."

SportsTurf760 Market Street, Suite 432

San Francisco, CA 94102Phone 415-839-5060

Fax 415-398-3511www.greenmediaonline.com

The Official Publication Of The Sports TurfManagers Association

PRESlDENT Mike Andresen, CSFMPAST PRESIDENT Mike Trigg, CSFM

PRESlDENT ELECT Abby McNeal, CSFMCOMMERCIAL V.P. Tra Dubois

SECRETARY David RulliTREASURER Chris Calcaterra, CSfM

STMA BOARD MEMBERS Amy Fouty. CSFM.Dale Getz, CSFM, Jody Gill, Dr. Dave Minner,

Troy Smith, CSFM, David Pinsonneault

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFlCER Kim Heck

STMA Office805 New Hampshire Suite E

Lawrence, Ks 66044Phone 800-323-3875 Fax 800-366-0391

Email STMAinfo@STMA.orgwww.STMA,org

EditorialGROUP PUBLISHER Douglas Habbard

EDlTOR Eric SchroderTECHNICAL EDITOR Dr. Scott McElroy

ART DIRECTOR Britt MenendezPRODUCTION MANAGER Sutton AnnasEDlTORlAL DIRECTOR Richard Brandes

STMA EditorialCommunications CommitteeDale Getz, CSFM, Scott McElroy, PhD

Scott MacVicar. Kevin MerlKlithBrad Park, Rick Perruzzi, C$FM

Larry Rhodes. CSFM. Doug Schattinger

americanbusinessmedia@,.-,-----

Spo,'-'Tod (ISSN Wiil·68'XI ,:USPS UOO·2n) O",g u.s. l'.t. &'I,M, 011.) is published monthly by M:!MLDIAJ60•• Bev-A!Cornon~~i,,"uon,company at 7110-"'lark",SlIOO~Su;'o 4~2, San',""ci>w, CA !I,1102, POST"'l.~STE~, Seu,l add,"", ch,nge, 10Spol1SlurL P,O, Box 21~0, Skokie IL 60076-7B20, For ""b,uipnoni"rOITl'latio"a"d ,oque'L\, eall S"h,enplioo So"'i",,, ill (Ril) 763-9555. SubscripUofl r",~s: I y"r, $40 US & Po"" 2 ;",a1". $65 US& Po",; 1 YOo" $G,,> Ca,.aUalFo,'e;sn s",ril'C, 1 yeo', $1010 /l.i"n';!.."-li ,,,ooeriptions are p.yable in advance in US fllnd,. Send pay-mont> to Spmt>'url. P,O. Box 2120, Skokie. IJ. fi007111R20. Ph'HW(8'17i 71j~-9~G5.hx: (8'1'7)763-%IjD, Single copies or b,ci< i5.lue,.Slj e,ch US/Canada; S9 Fore;gn, .Periodical, postage paid", SauFrands<o. Cl,and add;nonal maWngoffi,e.,. COPYRIGHT2007,SpOrlsTu,f M""",l rn'y not be reproduced or photocopied iu anyform "";tho~' the ,,'.-ittenperm;,";on of me publish.,.1(}!!'6- Member of 8PA Worldwide.

www.greenmediaonline.com

M2MEDIA360PRESIDENT/CEO

Marion MinorVP OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Gerald WinkelVP OF CIRCULATION AND

COLLATERAL SALESJoanne Juda·Prainito

PRODUCTION DIRECTORMary Jo Tomei

DIRECT MAIL LIST SALESCheryl Naughton 770·995·4964cnaughton@m2media360.eom

Reader Service ServicesDIRECTOR OF READER SERVICE

Joanne Juda-PrainitoReaderservice@m2media360.com

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICESPhone 847-763-9565 Fax 847-763-9569

REPRINTSCheryl Naughton 770-995-4964cnaughton@m2media360,com

Advertising Sales Representatives

CT. DE, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI,NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV,

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,Ontario, Quebec and Europe.

Paul Garris35 Greenbriar

Aurora,OH 44202330-562·2512; 330-562-3512 (fax)

pgarris@m2media360,com

AL, AR, AZ., CA, FL,GA, LA, NC, NM, NV, OK, SC,

TN, TX, UT and Mexico.Deanna Morgan

2095 Exeter Road, #80-336Germantown, TN 38138

901-759-1241; 901-624-0333Ifaxldmorgan@m2media360.com

AK, CO, HI, lA, 10, IL, KS, MN, MO,MT, NO, NE, OR, SO, WA, WI, WY,

Alberta, British Columbia,Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Colleen Murphy1326 N.lliinois Ave,

Arlington Heights, IL 60004847-259-2835; 847·259-2836 (fax)

em murphy88@comcast.net

Classified Advertising SalesDebbie Sutphin

815-267-7690; 815-267-7691 faxdsutph in@m2media360.com

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE; W" A"ume No ResponsibilityForTheV"lidity 01CI.ims 10CooneotionWith It"msApp"a,ing InS~ortS!IJrf.ReaderSarvice NumbersAre GivenToFacilitate

Further Inqui<y.Comm"roi.1Proouc! NamesAre UseoForTheConvenience01The Reader.Mendon 01A CommeroialProdu"l

Does Not Imply EndorsementBy Sportsturl Or M1MEOIA360,0, Preference Oval Similar ProductsNot Mentioned.

www.sportsturfmanaqer.orq

President's MessageIntegrity perseveresthrough tough times

While our crew was wrestling Mother Nature for evelY Ievent this spring, it was humbling when at certain points ~we just had La wave a flag and give in. For a professionthat dedicates itself to consistent footing and playability,

we seemingly started each day with a new menu of weather variables.The crew felt like we lived that cooking show where the secret ingredient

is given and then the chefs have an hom in which to prepare five elaboratedishes. At the end of the day, coaches played out their events on the fieldsand rendered ajudgment on our work. Many nights after dark we'd walk toour cars and wonder how anyone could work in am profession and still carryhimself or herself as an "Iron Chef' of turf \l\Te can and we must. Good jobeveryone! We may not have always excelled - sometimes the victory was tosimply survive.

It's not always the product we produce that sets us apart. It's the cues wegive that propel our crews, coaches, and players to appreciate the environmentthat we all share. A friend of mine would say, ~Any one can sail a ship in calmseas, it takes a real captain to sail when the water is angry." 'When colleaguessee us battling hard and getting the job done in spite of obstacles, they appr~ci-ate this is more than just a job.

\Ve all have difficult and grueling times, but as sports turf managers wefocus on sailing the ship and hosting events. Many of our challenges don'tinvolve today's weather or this week's workload. \'V~get off course because ofpersonnel or administrative issues.

Br:ing an STMA member can be a source yOIl can tum to for professionaland personal friendships and enrichment. If you're taking on water you canbet there are more people out there feeling the same way, Pick lip the phone,shoot off an e-mail and let those close to you know they're important to you.Above all, let your co-workers know that each of them is crucial to the pro-gram and your team.

Take a minute of your busy day and read the present STMA Bylaws.Ken Mrock and the Bylaws Committee did duty updating this doctrine lastyear, and we passed the revisions in December. Our Constitution is thisdocument! The last four pages of the Bylaws define the STMA Code ofEthics and Professional Conduct Guidelines. Become familiar with bothsections. When each of U~became a member it was implied that we agreeto follow the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Guidelines. If we'reprofessing professionalism and honor as qualifications to being successful inour careers we do ourselves a favor by embracing both documents. When Iwas introduced to STMA I found the members, above anything else, to bepeople of high integrity and trust. \\'e need to ensure that each person whofinds us sees it that way.

MIKE "IRON CHEF"ANDRESEN

CSFM

mandrese@

iastate.edu

SportsTurf 7

FIELD SCIENCE

Seedingstrategies

ByMarkG.Grundman that workIn the past, field managers have attempted interseeding (seeding into

an existing population, to control this shift in population) in one form oranother with limited success. Some researchers and investigators will tellyou the failures outnumber the successes by a wide margin. If odds areslacked against this process, why should we keep trying to intraseed?There are several answers, and in this article I hope to give you some

~

.., ver the past several years problems have cropped up

I either from man-made situations or naturally, all causinga strong shift in the populations of grasses on our athletic

..4 fields. This shift in most cases has lead to higher popula-~ lions of non-desirable grasses and an increase in overall

management costs. '

Chicago high school football field before Interseeding. Photo courtesy Phil Hargarden.

8 June 2007 www.greenmediaonline.com

FIELD SCIENCE

Same field after interseeemg. Photo courtesy Phil Hargarden.

insight into new concepts to shifting the population back in our favor.Sometimes turf managen will try to improve existing stands by

seeding with improved cultivars because they offer better disease resist-ance, traffic tolerance, and life at lower mowing heigh!.;!. Older varietiesand species are not adaptable to lower heights of cut and have a tell-

dency to thin when mowed at excessively low hdghts for long periodsof time. Once under stress disease patterns start to show, again thinningyom playing surface. This in tum allows other grassy weeds toencroach into your fields. Perhaps one of the largest reasons behind anauempt to change our turf population is our old friends Poa annua., PoaIrivialis, knntweed, and crabgrass to mention a few, which will invadewhen stressful conditions exist.

Often I hear "Well if my current grasses do not survive, then POll.armua will save the day." Unfortunately, with shrinking budgets, the costof maintaining a Poa annua or high weed populated field has becomequite expensive, not to mention increasing the potential for injuries. Thus,the need for grass replacement with a species or variety that is adapted to

day-to-day usage is needed to help compensate for these problems.

Setting up a programMy experience shows turf managers that set up a plan to interseed

have the most success rather than those that just run out with the seed-er at the first crack of cool weather. The first step 10 a successful plan isto answer the question, "Why should I seed?" Typically, your answerwill be one of the following:

10 June 2007

To increase density.To change the genetic variability to my Held.To increase the overall disease resistance.To build better wear tolerance.To build better uniformity and color into our grassed areas,

In giving this a great deal or Lhoughl, I find that or all the problemsfaced by athletic field managers, wear and undesirable species, espe-cially Pall. annua, come to the top of the list of why they Inrraseed.

When battling any foe, it is irnportanttn "know thy enemy." A reviewof the strengths and weaknesses of POll.annua, for instance, would give usan idea of how to attack this problem on site. We find that Poa annua:

Invades whenever we have a problem with our fields,Disrupts the uniformity of any athletic field.Costs an enormous amount of money 10 create a constantuniformity with this species.Faces declining shoot density during the summer months.Dies when subject to heavy traffic and Other summer stresses.Recovers due to a prolific seed bank but not until year's end.

In the past, we almost always tried 10 interseed into fields when thespecies or problem we are competing against are at their strong-est. Anevaluation of problems and when said problems are at their weakest willlead us to proper times for mterseedmg. (In the case of fighting Poa annua,we would plan to seed just before its death, i.e., anyiime after POll.annua

www.greenmediaonline.com