Minor League Baseball and the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) have announced that Hammons Field has been named the 2016 Double-A Field of the Year.
It marks the fourth consecutive year, and fifth time overall, that Hammons Field has won the award, for which all 30 Double-A teams were eligible. The Springfield Cardinals and Hammons Field first captured the prestigious award in 2008.
The award is the most recent accolade for Hammons Field, which also received its sixth consecutive and eighth overall Texas League Field of the Year honors this year. Additionally, Cardinals Head Groundskeeper Brock Phipps was named the Double-A Sports Turf Manager of the Year, recognizing the excellent work of Phipps, Assistant Head Groundskeeper Derek Edwards and the entire field staff at Hammons Field.
In 2016, Hammons Field not only hosted 70 Springfield Cardinals Regular Season games and two playoff games, but also the 2016 Texas League All-Star Game, presented by Great Southern Bank, the Missouri State Bears Baseball home schedule, numerous clinics and multiple community events.
“It is always a very special honor to be voted Field of the Year in all of Double-A Baseball, particularly considering the high talent of many of the groundskeepers across our level and in our league,” said Phipps. “Winning four years in a row especially exhibits the unwavering expertise, dedication and commitment of Assistant Head Groundskeeper Derek Edwards and our entire field crew. It also speaks to the immeasurable support provided throughout the season by the entire Springfield Cardinals Front Office.”
“Brock, Derek and the staff are incredibly committed to creating an elite playing surface at Hammons Field for the Future of Cardinals Baseball while providing a beautiful ballpark for our fans to enjoy,” said Springfield Cardinals Vice President/General Manager Matt Gifford. “It is our continued honor to uphold Mr. Hammons’ tradition of excellence, and we would like to thank everyone at Hammons Industries for helping us do so. As we enter our 13th season, we are very proud to have one of the finest ballparks in Minor League Baseball and once again represent the Texas League in receiving this honor.”
