Miracle grounds crew honored

Team honored for best city or county operated turf crew

Fort Myers Miracle
Press Release

Fort Myers, FL - The Florida State League announced today the 2007 Florida State League Sports Turf Crew Awards. The awards, initiated in 1990, are selected 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 Fort Myers Miracle were awarded the Municipality Award, which is given to the best City or County operated Sports Turf Crew in the League. The Miracle grounds crew has received eleven Sports Turf Awards since 1990. This is the eighth time they have won the Municipality Award.

"This award is well deserved for a group that is extremely hard working and dedicated in their profession. A big thanks goes out to Keith Blasingim, Terry Slawson and P.J. Boutwell for all the hard work and effort they give to Hammond Stadium," said Miracle General Manager Steve Gliner.

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 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.