Community Service Project


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MPSTMA Members Rise to Occasion; Renovate Baseball Field on August 19

Once again, members of the Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association rose to the occasion and renovated a baseball field for the 12th year in a row. This year’s project was Legion Field in Buffalo, MN. In general, the field was in good shape prior to the renovation but needed work on the mound and home plate areas.

MagicTurf’s Mike Brunelle and staff did prep work on the renovation prior to the August 19 project. MagicTurf also provided equipment and supplies and labor for this year’s CSP.

The project itself was led by retired member and certified sports field manager Mike McDonald who made sure all volunteers had something productive to do. McDonald has been the driving force of all 12 renovations. Those who participate in the CSP’s know how valuable McDonald’s knowledge, work ethic and managing abilities are to MPSTMA’s annual project.

The City of Buffalo was represented by Adam Farrell, Carrie Kutiliner, Tim Pearson and Thomas Eckstein. Other’s from Buffalo included high schoolers: Carson Schwartz, Jack Lauer, Jon Euerle and Jake Diske. Ramon Vega, a former Buffalo town ball player and now a coach with a homerun record on the field paid close attention to the renovations and will make sure those maintaining the mound and field will do it properly. Vega was in the San Francisco Giants Baseball Club system.

Luke Wittrock, University of St. Thomas, took control of recreating the pitcher’s mound with help from Simeon who then turned his attention to revamping the home plate area.

Mike Zwisler and Tom Thul, The Tessman Seed Company, provided needed supplies and labor.

John Braunshausen and Eric Brunelle, MN Equipment, provided key equipment and labor.

MTI Distributing Inc.’s Larry Gorman was a useful participant by bringing a Toro Workman and hauling clay, sod, dirt and whatever else was needed throughout the day.

The City of Plymouth volunteers included Brian Swartzer, Jesse Belarr and Samantha Poeschl.

Other valuable assets for the day include: Matt Grosjean, CSFM, ISD 197; Nate Mezera, EC Grow; Trent Watters, City of Roseville; Mark Roschen and Joe Bronk, City of Lakeville; Gary Ringus, SlatTrax, and Ben Boeding, CSFM, Minnesota Sodding Company.

Also, special thanks to Joe Churchill, Reinders for donating supplies.

Each year, the MPSTMA chooses a CSP from a list of applicants by visiting the fields that apply. If your field is in need of renovation, go to the CSP tab at www.mpstma.org and apply!

CSP Volunteers were:

  • Adam Farrell, Buffalo
  • Carrie Kotlinek, Buffalo
  • Carson Schwartz, Buffalo
  • Jack Lauer, Buffalo
  • Jake Duke, Buffalo
  • Jon Eaerle, Buffalo
  • Ramon Vega, Buffalo
  • Thomas Eckstein, Buffalo
  • Tim Pearson, Buffalo
  • Nate Zemera, EC Grow
  • Matt Grosjean, CSFM, ISD 179
  • Joe Bronk, Lakeville
  • Mark Roschen, Lakeville
  • Ben Wallin, St. Francis Schools
  • Dave Simeon, Woodhill Country Club
  • Mike Brunelle, MagicTurfs, Inc.
  • Eric Brunelle, MN Equipment
  • John Braunshausen, MN Equipment
  • Jeff Turtinen, MPSTMA
  • Ben Boeding, CSFM, MSC
  • Larry Gorman, MTI
  • Brian Swartzer, Plymouth
  • Jesse Belarr, Plymouth
  • Samantha Poeschl, Plymouth
  • Mike McDonald, CSFM, Retired
  • Trent Waters, Roseville
  • Gary Ringus, Slat Trax
  • Mike Zwisler, The Tessman Company
  • Tom Thul, The Tessman Company

  • Luke Wittrock, University of St. Thomas

The following projects were performed: Home Plate Circle Renovation; Pitcher Mound Renovation; Arc Restoration/3rd Base Overrun Repair, and Ag-lime Restoration.

Home Plate Circle:

  • Plate to be raised 2 inches

  • Clay added and graded

  • Front of circle: cut out, graded, sodded

Pitcher Mound:

  • Mound returned to 18 ft. diameter

  • Mound rebuilt to specs with clay

Arc Restoration/3rd Base Overrun:

  • Arc restored to 92”

  • Lip from 2nd to 3rd removed and restored

  • Overrun at 3rd restored to match 1st Base

Ag-lime:

  • Fill Base paths

  • Grade Infield

In 2019, Osseo's Memorial Field was Renovated by MPSTMA!

On September 25, more than 30 people volunteered their time and efforts at this year's MPSTMA Community Service Project at Memorial Field in Osseo. A special thanks to our participating vendors. Without their help and equipment, not nearly as much would have been accomplished. Tom Groh and his staff from Minnesota Sodding Company went beyond what was expected. Steve Berg, Berg Turf, was also a tremendous asset. Special thanks to Plaisted Companies and The Tessman Company for their contributions.





Nine Certified Sports Field Managers from MPSTMA were on-hand to renovate Memorial Field in Osseo.
From left to right: Ben Boeding, Minnesota Sodding Company; Mark Kruse, City of Lakeville; Reid Johnson, St. Paul Academy & Summit School; Mike McDonald, Unviersity of Minnesota / TCF Bank Stadium; Roger Weinbrenner, Minnesota Sodding Company; Matt Grosjean, Independent School District #179; Joshua Gerth, Bethel University, and Tom Rudberg, Minnesota Sodding Company. The ninth CSFM was Steve Berg, Berg Turf, who was there for most of the day but missed the photo opp.

Complete Volunteer List:

  1. Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota / TCF Bank Stadium
  2. Ben Boeding, CSFM, Minnesota Sodding Company
  3. Roger Weinbrenner, CSFM, Minnesota Sodding Company
  4. Tom Groh, Minnesota Sodding Company
  5. Tom Rudberg, CSFM, Minnesota Sodding Company
  6. Kent Harris, Minnesota Sodding Company
  7. Steve Berg, CSFM, Berg Turf
  8. Joshua Gerth, CSFM, Bethel University
  9. Dillon Crum, Bethel University
  10. Tim Anderson, Bethel University
  11. Larry Gorman, MTI Distributing Company
  12. Terry Young, MTI Distributing Company
  13. Bob Frank, MTI Distributing Company
  14. Reid Johnson, CSFM, St. Paul Academy & Summit School
  15. Matt Grosjean, CSFM, ISD #197
  16. Tom Thul, The Tessman Company
  17. Tom O'hern, Pioneer Athletics
  18. Mike Kelly, Twin City Seed Company / Environmental Agrinomics
  19. Mark Kruse, CSFM, City of Lakeville
  20. Joe Bronk, City of Lakeville
  21. Mark Roschton, City of Lakeville
  22. Chase Straw, University of Minnesota
  23. Tom Shaw, ISD #279
  24. Tyler Moseng, ISD #279
  25. Jesse Phenow, ISD #279
  26. Mark Klimer, ISD #279
  27. Jesse Phenow, ISD #279
  28. Bob Anderson, City of Osseo
  29. Scott Bernardson, City of Osseo
  30. T. J. Mattson, City of Osseo
  31. Jeff Wolff, Osseo Baseball Parent
  32. Greg Nimms, Osseo Baseball Parent
  33. Joe Lavin, Osseo Baseball Coach / Teacher
  34. Bill Quan, Osseo Schools Activities Coordinator
  35. Jeff Turtinen, MPSTMA
++ a number of kids who will be using the field!