"My alarm goes off at 6 a.m.," said Jordan Treadway, Roger Dean Stadium director of grounds and facilities. "In Spring Training, I'm usually here around 6:45. We can't really get here much earlier because the sun doesn't come up. As soon as the sun is up, our guys are out."

Treadway oversees a full-time staff of 19.

For Spring Training, another five or six workers are added, assisting with the never-ending duties of maintaining the infield grass, dirt and mounds.

The crew's day begins before sunrise, and ends, as Treadway says, "when the job is done." That's usually when it's dark.

"We started our prep for Spring Training around the first of November," Treadway said.

Spring Training 2015: Cardinals | Marlins

There is no shortage of activity at Roger Dean Stadium, also the Minor League home for the Marlins and Cardinals' Class A Advanced affiliates. After Spring Training ends, the field readies for 140 Florida State League games for the Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals.

"Jordan and his crew do a tremendous job. The field is always immaculate," Marlins infield coach Perry Hill said. "You think about the pounding it takes for 45-50 days in a row. There is a game every day. Then, there are two teams taking batting practice every day.

"That field just gets torn up. I can't believe they keep it in the type of shape they keep it in."

The stadium's busy agenda also includes hosting numerous amateur baseball tournaments, such as Perfect Game and USA Baseball, plus college and instructional league games. Several years ago, the main field was the site of a football game.

Original post:
Jupiter crew works the grounds year-round

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January 19, 2015 at 2:05 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Grass Sod