Turface names 2013 Field Award winners

Turface Athletics presented its 2013 Field Maintenance and Scholarship awards at the American Baseball Coaches Association’s (ABCA) annual convention Jan. 2-5 in Dallas.

The maintenance awards recognize outstanding field maintenance at the high school and college levels, while the scholarships provide assistance to two schools in need of field improvements.

Honored with 2013 Field Maintenance Awards were Hampshire High School in Hampshire, Ill., and Long Beach State University in Long Beach, Calif. Accepting on behalf of the schools were John Sarna, Hampshire head coach, and David Yamane, director of baseball operations at Long Beach State.

“Receiving a nationally recognized award from the ABCA and Turface Athletics is a true honor in itself,” Sarna said. “The constant hard work of our coaches, administration, grounds crew, and parents is the reason for our success and clearly demonstrates just how important coaches nationally value solid playing facilities and conditions. This honor becomes an added incentive to keep making the necessary improvements to enhance the safety and playability of our fields.”

West Milford High School in West Milford, N.J., and West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., were the recipients of the 2013 Field Maintenance Scholarship Awards. The schools will each receive three tons of Turface and a total of $500 over the next two years for use on maintenance equipment and supplies.

Turface also sponsored a one-time Service Award, honoring Tim Fanning, head coach of Glenwood High School in Smiths Station, Ala., for his work in co-founding the non-profit organization, “More Than a Game.”