2007 FSL Sports Turf Crew Awards

Clearwater turf manager wins fourth straight overall award

Florida State League
Press Release

Daytona Beach, Fla -- The winners of the 2007 Florida State League Sports Turf Crew Awards were announced today by Florida State League President Chuck Murphy. The awards were initiated in 1990 and selection is by Field Managers and Pitching Coaches of each team in the League and the Florida Sate League Umpires. The five awards are Best Overall Award, Municipality Award and three Florida State League Commendation Certificates.

The winner of the Best Overall Award, for the fourth year in a row, is the Clearwater Threshers and their Sports Turf Manager, Opie Cheek, is named for the fourth time, the Florida State League Sports Manager of the Year. The Threshers won the Best Overall Award by placing first in each of the eleven categories for the Award.

The Fort Myers Miracle are the winners of the Municipality Award, which is given to the best City or County operated Sports Turf Crew in the League. The Miracle with Sports Turf Manager Keith Blasingim has received eleven Sports Turf Awards since 1990. This is the eighth time they have won the Municipality Award.

The three teams receiving the Florida State League Commendation Certificates are the Jupiter/Palm Beach Complex, Tampa Yankees and St. Lucie Mets. The Tampa Yankees, under the leadership of Sports Turf Manager Ritchie Anderson, have won awards every year since 1996. Jupiter/Palm Beach has received seven awards since 1998. The Sports Turf Manager is Marshall Jennings. The St. Lucie Mets, with Sports Turf Manager Tommy Bowes, have won ten awards since 1992.

League President Chuck Murphy compliments the Field Managers, Pitching Coaches and Umpires for their cooperation and diligence in conducting the survey and congratulates the winning Sports Turf Crews and all the Sports Turf Crews in the Florida State League for their hard work, dedication and professionalism in providing excellent playing conditions for the players and coaches.