Minor League Baseball reveals 2024 Groundskeeper of the Year Awards

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) revealed its list of Groundskeepers of the Year for each level of the minors, with some teams announcing their winners to the public. Here are some of the winners that have been awarded so far.

Fresno Grizzlies’ David Jacinto wins 2024 California League Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award

The Grizzlies’ groundskeeper David Jacinto has won the California League Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award, marking the third time Jacinto has won the top groundskeeper honor in his career and his second recognition in the California League. This also marks the second time in three years that Jacinto has earned the accolade.

“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with David for over 20 years,” said Derek Franks, president of the Fresno Grizzlies. “I couldn’t be more thrilled that he is receiving the recognition he so greatly deserves, and seeing him honored for the second time in three years is a true testament to his hard work and passion for our organization.”

Since joining the Grizzlies in 2004, David has become one of the most tenured members of the organization. Over his tenure, he has not only maintained Chukchansi Park for thousands of games and events but has also been called up to the Major Leagues on multiple occasions to lend his expertise to MLB fields.

“David not only shows up for work day in and day out, but he does so with a smile and great attitude,” said Grizzlies’ manager Steve Soliz. “It is easy to see he enjoys the game of baseball and takes pride in doing his part to help make the Fresno Grizzlies the successful organization it is.”

Beyond his dedication to fieldwork, David is well-known for his hospitality toward both home and visiting teams. His legendary tacos, served from his shop behind the centerfield wall, have become famous across professional baseball. Over the years, David has fed World Series champions, All-Stars and Hall of Famers.

Michael Huie named Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year

Minor League Baseball named Tacoma Rainiers’ director of field operations Michael Huie the Pacific Coast League and 2024 Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year.

Huie was given the award over nine other PCL teams and 29 other Triple-A teams, bringing home the award for the first time in Tacoma’s history. It was the first time a team in the Pacific Northwest has won the award since Spokane did so in 2015.

“Industry standards are only on the rise. Maintaining a quality playing surface is essential and goes far beyond the aesthetics,” Huie said. “The priority is to protect the players that come out to compete day in and day out.

In his eighth season with Tacoma, he is proud of winning the award for the organization but acknowledged that it is a complete team effort that goes into getting the field prepared.

“I may have won the award, but there is a tremendous cast that is dedicated to putting out the final product that we do,” Huie said.

Team president, Aaron Artman, stated that Huie is a perfectionist, and he is thrilled that all his hard work is being recognized.

“This is a tremendous honor for Michael and the entire organization,” Artman said. “He has very high standards and is extremely detail oriented, elevating our entire organization with the work he does on the field.”

Durham’s Hendricks wins Illinois Groundskeeper Of The Year

Durham Bulls’ Dylan Hendricks has been awarded the International League’s Head Groundskeeper of the Year for the 2024 season.

The winners of the groundskeeper and home/visiting clubhouse manager awards were selected using the results of surveys of league managers, players and executives throughout the past season along with a nominating committee.

“It really means a lot to receive this award. I could not have done it without my co-workers and my grounds crew staff,” said Hendricks. “I appreciate them for all the hard work and time they put in to make the field the way it is. I’m also deeply grateful to the managers, players and executives who saw something special and recognized our field at the DBAP.”

“These individuals work tirelessly to ensure the best possible playing surfaces and clubhouse environments for our players and coaches, and their efforts are greatly appreciated,” said Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “We are pleased to honor them for their hard work.”

Hendricks is a 2023 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in turfgrass science and was elevated to the head groundskeeper role this past July after working on the Bulls’ grounds crew the past three seasons.

“We are incredibly proud of Dylan and this is a tremendous honor,” said Bulls general manager Tyler Parsons. “This recognition receives a significant amount of feedback from team personnel and we couldn’t be happier for Dylan and his entire crew. The Durham Bulls have a long history of excellence with the field operation and I’m excited to see our high standard continue in MiLB.”

Stephen Crockett wins 2024 Head Groundskeeper of the Year in Texas League

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball and the Texas League, revealed Stephen Crockett as the winner of the Texas League’s Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award for the 2024 season.

“We are incredibly proud to congratulate Stephen Crockett on being named Texas League Groundskeeper of the Year,” Naturals vice president and general manager Justin Cole said. “This award highlights his dedication and passion for creating a first-class playing surface. Crockett’s hard work behind the scenes truly makes a difference for our organization every day.”

Stephen joined the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2021 as the club’s head groundskeeper at Arvest Ballpark. He came into the role with 30 years of field and facility management experience, both at the municipal and collegiate levels. Crockett, a native of Troy, Tenn., graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin and now resides in Bella Vista, Arkansas, with his wife Ronda.

In addition to Head Groundskeepers, Minor League Baseball also announced the award-winning Home Clubhouse Managers and Visiting Clubhouse Managers for each of the full season clubs.

---

Related Articles

Louisville City FC’s Aaron Fink named USL Groundskeeper of the Year

MiLB names Charlie Weaver Groundskeeper of the Year