Field maintenance guru, Ross Kurcab, highlights the “Five-Tool Sports Field Manager” in April’s issue of Sports Field Management Magazine.

A “Five-Tool” baseball player is described as a “got it all player”; a well-rounded, consistent player. A “Five-Tool” player excels at five main tools and below, is Kurcab’s take on becoming a “five tool” sports field manager:

1. Equipment, applications and treatment: simply having the skills to use the equipment, understand application, and apply proper treatments.
2. Field preparation: the “heart and soul of the profession.” Preparation is combining the necessary skills and talents to prepare a quality field. Kurcab encourages those interested in sports field maintenance to apprentice for three-five years to gain experience and hone skills.
3. Turfgrass science/turfgrass management: being formally educated in the science and physics of the ins and outs of sports field maintenance. Kurcab recommends a four- year degree, but points to the availability of many two-year programs and the explosion of available internet programs.
4. Event management/turfgrass interactions: get involved in meetings and plans for several local events. Jump in, provide your expertise and make sure everything is done correctly to protect the field from unnecessary damage.
5. Business skills: Kurcab serves up his list of the necessary business skills for a field sports manager to have: communication skills, the ability to manage a budget, human relations skills, the ability to be a good planner and the ability to be an exceptional project manager.

According to Kurcab’s former professor at Colorado State University, “There are no grass problems, only people problems.”

To read the entire article in Sports Field Management Magazine click here.  Check out the photo below from BTF’s Field Maintenance Clinic with the Detroit Tigers grounds crew, and as always, check the Baseball Tomorrow Fund website, Facebook and Twitter pages for daily tips, articles and field maintenance resources.

As we head into the first weekend of May we can’t help but feel excited about all that has happened this week and all that is coming up in the next few. The beginning of May, although it may have kicked off on a rainy note here in New York, is in my mind the official start to spring and announces that summer is right around the corner.

Last Saturday BTF attended the grand field opening and lighting ceremony for Tobyhanna Little League in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.  Tobyhanna Little League was awarded more than $95,000 from The Baseball Tomorrow Fund for the installation of Musco Sports Lighting on fields at its home facility. The facility serves over 300 youth players and the hope is that the lighting will increase player and parent participation by creating the opportunity for evening games and practices.

BTF executive director, Cathy Bradley, attended the ceremony and said it was quite the celebratory event. She described it as including “Turkey Trays” of raffle gift bags and baskets, rides in the local fire department truck basket towering over the newly light field and photos with friends and fans alike. About 17 youth teams and 200 people were present and the new Musco lights cast a warm glow over the clear, spring evening. (Photo credit: Melissa Neihard)

In other exciting news, Thursday marked the official kick off to Equipment Day 2012! The Kansas City Royals started things off right by hosting a two day drive during the Yankees home stand. Players’ wives and volunteers were charged with collecting donated baseball and softball equipment and cash before the games. Giveaways for participating included signed baseballs and photos from your player of choice…how cool is that?! Stay tuned for the results report and photos of the event coming soon!

 Upcoming Events:

          Saturday May 5: Louisa Little League lighting ceremony, Louisa, VA

          Sunday May 6: San Diego Padres Equipment Day, Petco Park

          Saturday May 19: Toronto Blue Jays Equipment Day, Rogers Centre Skydome

          Sunday May 20: Houston Astros Equipment Day, Minute Maid Park

As always, be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter pages for up to the minute updates, photo galleries, more information about the Equipment Day initiatives and every event detail.

Have a great weekend!

Let’s imagine you, or your organization, has decided to apply for a grant. The process may go something like this: you hear of a grant they’d like to apply one, you write or complete grant application and necessities, youreceive grant! It may go as smoothly as that or it may involve countless hours of writers block, carpel tunnel or a simple straight-forward denial because you didn’t meet the criteria, or didn’t complete the grant flawlessly. No nodding heads = no grant money. Here’s the important part though, the difference between receiving a check and receiving a check-off is oftentimes a skilled grant writer. Seeing this, here are a few general things to know regarding hiring or finding your grant writing soul mate.

A grant writer is usually defined as someone who is responsible for preparing the necessary documents needed in order to secure grant money from governments or foundations that provide grant funds to nonprofits, businesses or other eligible organizations.

Once an organization determines they do in fact want to hire, either permanently or on contract, a grant writer they begin the process of finding someone up for the job.

Where to find them: As with a lot of things in life it is sometimes best to begin close to home. You can always start by asking for referrals from friends, relatives or colleagues who may have previously gone through a similar process.  If this turns up nothing but dead ends, it’s best to look for a consultant grant writer. These can be found in many places but a good place to start is the American Grant Writer’s Association. They have the ability to play match maker between their certified grant writers available for hire and the type of organization you are or what type of grant you are applying for. You can also check job boards, place a job ad, reach out to a local university or research the websites of non-profits or fundraising organizations.

What they will do: Once on board, a grant writer gets down to the job. They begin with either tackling a grant you have already selected to apply for or begin researching grant opportunities for you or your organization. Once grant opportunities have been located grant writers will write the actual proposal to be submitted to foundations or applications to government agencies. A grant writer also has the ability to step in and simply review a proposal or application that you have already written and if desired they have the skills and knowledge to think long term and train your staff to research grant opportunities and write proposals in the future.

How much they will cost: Grant writers hired as a consultant will charge an hourly rate. These often range from $40-100 per hour. Just an FYI it is unethical for any grant writer to accept compensation that is a percentage of grant funds an organization may receive.  It is also unethical for compensation to be contingent upon receipt of grant funds. 

So there you have it, a mini breakdown on some key things to know regarding the duties of grant writers, where to find them and what to expect from them. You can also check out our website for more grant resources than you could imagine, or check our Facebook and Twitter pages for frequent how-to’s and updates. 

Grant Writing Resources:

http://www.agwa.us/

http://foundationcenter.org/

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html

Not many people get to celebrate turning 100. Not many ballparks do either. Today, however, marks the 100^th year of Fenway Park, and solidifies it as America’s oldest working Major League ballpark. On this day, exactly one hundred years ago in 1912, the Boston Red Sox took on the New York Yankees, then known as the New York Highlanders. Today, they rematch.  Those same two teams will play each other, in the same ballpark, with simply a few modern day updates and a mere one hundred years separating the two events. And although the players and fans may be different, and the outcome may vary, I have to wonder if the feeling and the magic of Fenway is just the way it was one hundred years ago.

Congrats Fenway Park and The Boston Red Sox, here’s to a one of a kind ballpark and to the next one hundred years.

We look forward to continuing the celebration when we see Yawkey Way teeming with baseball and softball equipment during the Red Sox Equipment Day Drive taking place from Friday June 22^nd until Sunday June 24^th. This year will mark the eighth consecutive year that “Kids Gear for Baseball Boston” will be selected by the Red Sox as the Equipment Day grant recipient and be awarded a $5,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.

Head over to the BTF Facebook and Twitter pages to tell us what you’re doing to gear up and collect items for the Equipment Day drives coming your way …we’re dying to hear!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sunday marks the anniversary of Jackie Robinson walking onto Ebbets field as first baseman for The Brooklyn Dodgers. He broke the color barrier of Major League Baseball. Prior to Robinson, baseball had been a segregated sport for over 50 years. Allan H. (Bud) Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball stated, “When Jackie Robinson took the field in Brooklyn sixty-five years ago, he transcended the sport he loved and helped change our country in the most powerful way imaginable.”

MLB is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day with a league-wide anniversary recognition celebration. All MLB players and on field personnel will wear the number 42, youth baseball and softball clinics will be held in different communities through the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and Clubs will hold special ceremonies at MLB ballparks throughout the country.

Commissioner Selig states, “It is a privilege for Major League Baseball to celebrate Jackie’s enduring legacy each year, and we are proud that every April 15th, our young fans around the world have an opportunity to learn everything that the Number 42 stands for – courage, grace and determination.”

In celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, Austin RBI is hosting a free clinic along with a Pitch, High & Run Competition. The event is being held at past Baseball Tomorrow Fund grant recipient, Austin Reagan High School. Reagan High School was chosen in May of 2010 as the MLB Groundskeepers’ annual renovation service project where each year, the MLB Groundskeepers go into a community and renovate a selected baseball field in need of repair. The completion of the renovated playing surface and upgraded facilities was celebrated on January 11, 2011.

The clinic held at Austin Reagan on April 15, 2012 will celebrate an important day in history while also showcasing the importance of continued support to youth baseball and softball.

Jackie Robinson’s Nine Values to Live By:

1. Courage: Doing what you know is the right thing even when it is hard to do
2. Determination: Staying focused on a plan even though the path to its end may be difficult
3. Teamwork: Working with other people toward a common goal
4. Persistence: Working toward a goal and continuing to move forward even though you face obstacles or barriers
5. Integrity: Sticking to your values, regardless of what others think you should do
6. Citizenship: Making a contribution that improves the lives of others
7. Justice: Treating all people fairly, no matter who they are
8. Commitment:  Making a promise and following through on it
9. Excellence: Doing the best that you possibly can

Weigh in on Facebook and Twitter to tell us what you think of Jackie’s Nine Values or tell us a few values you live by.

We find ourselves once again at Friday and having finished yet another great week here at BTF.

We broke up the week by traveling to Statesville, NC on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the new Power Cross home baseball field.

Power Cross, an organization dedicated to mentoring young men through athletics, was awarded a grant in the amount of $45,000. This grant funded renovations to their home baseball facility, batting cages, playing surface, dugouts, and for purchase of baseball equipment and uniforms. Over 300 young men will benefit from the renovations and new facility. The event was attended by Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh and the Hickory Crawdads Mascot Conrad and kicked-off with an explosive home run derby. Check out the great photos.

As I’m sure many of you already know Thursday was the highly anticipated 2012 MLB Opening Day. Opening Day, for me, is always exhilarating; predications of who will take it all this year are made, friendly rivalries between colleagues and departments break out and all of a sudden it feels like summer is just around the corner. Opening Day means we can start sporting our worn out, but perfectly broken in, team hats, watching games with friends and family and acting as if we’re in the grandstand and, if we’re one of the lucky ones, attending a game on a summer evening. When the sun sets, the lights click on, your team is winning and your hot dog has the perfect amount of ketchup on it, you may wonder how it could get any better.  

The beginning of baseball season means that Equipment Day collections are coming your way! Continue to check our website for updated calendar listings of Equipment Day collection dates. In the meantime, jump start your own collection by stock piling your baseball or softball equipment to donate to a nearby MLB Club collection.  

As we head into a sunny spring weekend here’s my suggestion to you: check out the BTF Facebook and Twitter pages, then break out that team spirit and enjoy our favorite American sport.

Spring has officially sprung… and, field maintenance is the topic of conversation!

With the assistance of MLB Clubs, BTF has begun a new initiative called the Field Maintenance Education Program – an opportunity for MLB Head Groundskeepers to host field maintenance clinics to educate and support the ongoing task of facility maintenance. The first clinic of the season was held in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals Charities on on Saturday, March 24.

A private field maintenance clinic was held for local youth baseball and softball organizations, including BTF and KC Royals Charities grant recipients. KC Royals head groundskeeper Trevor Vance and his crew reviewed techniques and methods of professional field maintenance that could be used for smaller, youth facilities. In conjunction with the clinic, BTF presented a $5,000 grant each to Blue Springs (Mo.) High School and Van Horn High School in Independence, Mo., for baseball field upgrades!

Check out a brief video  and photo gallery of the day in order to get the digital scoop.

The second clinic was held this past Saturday in partnership with the Cincinnati Reds at Brandon Phillips Field. The seminar was hosted by Jamie Mehringer of J+D Turf, Josh Cook from Advanced Turf Solutions and featured guest speaker Doug Gallant, head groundskeeper for the Reds. Doug handed out useful advice and demonstrated proper field maintenance methods to prepare a the field for the all important spring season. BTF presented two more $5,000 grants to the Cincinnati Public Schools/Student Activity Foundation as well as the Morgan County (Kentucky) Middle School baseball field which sustained damage from a tornado last month.  

BTF partners with MLB Clubs to hold these clinics with the steadfast purpose of educating attendees of the importance of ongoing field maintenance. Field maintenance is the cornerstone to keeping a field safe for players and the promise of continued use in the future.  A baseball field has to tolerate many natural disasters, including tornados, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, etc. Through education and grant funds, BTF continues to support field maintenance education and the longevity of a field.  

Upcoming clinics:

• Detroit Tigers (Saturday April 14)
• New York Mets (Saturday August 11)
• Seattle Mariners (Friday August 24)

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and follow BTF on Twitter for great photos, stories and constant updates. 

FM Quick Tips:

• Walk your field everyday and look for hazards, it’s the only way to truly know your field and be able to recognize safety concerns.
• Water can be the most important maintenance tool. Some pros water heavily at least 8-10 hours before any game to ensure proper moisture which in turn provides firm footing for the athletes.

Happy Friday everyone! What a week it has been at BTF – full of field grand openings, site visits, airport terminals and preparation for the upcoming Equipment Day initiative!

We kicked off the week – beating the Monday blues – by heading to Hendersonville, Tennessee for the grand re-opening of the home baseball field of Hendersonville High School (HHS). The school received a grant of $47,366 to help fund the renovation of the field after it was damaged by the region’s devastating flood in May 2010. Over two hundred players from the varsity, JV and middle school teams will benefit from the beautiful, first class field…talk about home field advantage!  It was a wonderful evening featuring past, present and future players from Hendersonville, representatives from the Nashville Sounds and ceremonial first pitches thrown by five HHS Hall-of-Famers. What a perfect way to start the week – gorgeous sunset and all. 

Next, we ventured to Versailles, Kentucky for the grand opening and field lighting ceremony at Woodford County Park. The BTF grant recipient, Woodford Parks Foundation, was awarded close to $70,000 to provide funding for the installation of Musco Sports lighting equipment on a newly constructed softball field. This lighting will help support and progress the growth of softball programs for over two hundred and fifty girls who participate in seventeen summer leagues, middle school, high school and travel teams. In the eyes of BTF, this was the perfect way to celebrate the first official day of spring; softball and celebrating!  

BTF is off tomorrow to Houston for an event with grant recipient South Houston Little League and to Kauffman Stadium for a Field Maintenance Clinic with the Kansas City Royals! Can’t wait to give you guys the full run-down next week but be sure to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for live updates and photos. 

Have a great weekend!

-Elizabeth

Hi everyone, reporting to you from the intern pod on my second day of work at the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF). I thought it appropriate to introduce myself, as you’ll be hearing from me frequently in the coming months.

Well first of all, my name is Elizabeth and, although I have a million nicknames, let’s stick with Elizabeth. I was born and raised in metropolitan Boston (go Red Sox!) and I recently graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut where I majored in Communications and French. I managed to keep myself busy at school by participating in service trips, studying abroad in Paris and joining the club hockey and tennis teams. I moved to The Big Apple this September to complete a competitive training program with one of the top PR firms in New York. Although it was a wonderful experience, I yearned for an opportunity that felt more like “me.” So I consider myself extremely fortunate, and am so thrilled, to be here at the Baseball Tomorrow Fund – where my love of sports and philanthropy collide.

I look forward to learning the ins and outs of all the wonderful work BTF does, the grant process, working on projects like the Equipment Day initiative and sharing BTF information on our social media outlets. Make sure to regularly check our Twitter and Facebook  because I’ll be updating you on all things BTF. Fun photos, articles and stories will of course be shared. So here’s to the Baseball Tomorrow Fund…let the games begin!

Talk to you soon!

-Elizabeth

Upcoming BTF events:

- Saturday 3/17 Grant Recipient Field Opening @ Family Christian Academy - Baton Rouge, LA

- Monday 3/19 Grant Recipient Field Opening @ Hendersonville High School – Hendersonville, TX

- Tuesday 3/20 Field Opening @ Woodford County Park for Grant Recipient Woodford Parks Foundation – Versailles, KY

BTF in the News:

http://theadvocate.com/sports/preps/2330572-123/family-christian-to-unveil-new

 http://www.wkrn.com/story/17160836/major-league-baseball-helps-restore-flood-damaged-field

Each year, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund collaborates with Major League Baseball Clubs to supplement their existing equipment collection programs and/or help facilitate the creation of new programs.2012 marks the eighth season of the BTF/MLB Equipment Day program!

Each Club hosts an equipment drive at the stadium and fans are invited to donate new and used equipment, which will benefit a local organization. A list of the confirmed collection dates are below. Visit our website often as more dates are confirmed!

Atlanta Braves (June 30-July 1)

Baltimore Orioles (September 9)

Boston Red Sox (June 22-24)

Cincinnati Reds (August 5)

Colorado Rockies (July 14)

Houston Astros (May 20)

Miami Marlins (June 30)

Milwaukee Brewers (June 29-July 5)

New York Mets (August 25)

Philadelphia Phillies (August 12)

Pittsburgh Pirates (August 24)

San Francisco Giants (June 2)

Seattle Mariners (July 14)

Toronto Blue Jays (May 19)

Washington Nationals (June 3)