Tennessee Smokies Win Field of the Year Honor

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association honored the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball organization with the “TTA Professional Sports Field of the Year” award in January. The award was for the 2015 calendar year. Head groundskeeper Anthony DeFeo accepted the award for the club. DeFeo uses Latitude 36 Bermudagrass on the field.

“I’m honored to receive such an award on behalf of the Smokies,” said DeFeo. “I am extremely thankful to have the support of the organization for all the work that we do throughout the course of the season.”

“It is always nice when you see someone’s hard work get noticed,” said Smokies’ President and COO Chris Allen. “I can’t thank the Tennesse Turfgrass Association enough for recognizing what a fantastic job Anthony has done this year. His approach and work ethic is second to none, and it shows when you look at the field!”

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association annually recognizes the personal and professional contributions made to the industry and their organization made by their members. Nominees for the award must have two full seasons of play or operation and are accepted via “voice” or self nomination.

This is the first time since at least 2010 that Smokies Stadium has received the prestigious award and the third Southern League member to do so. The Chattanooga Lookouts’ AT&T Field received the honor in 2013 and the Jackson Generals’ then-Pringles Park won the award in 2011.