On game day Doug Gallant, head grounds professional for the Cincinnati Reds professional baseball team is at the park from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. When a night game is followed by an afternoon game he often spends the night sleeping in his office.

Doug Gallant showed PMGS members what's expected of the head groundskeeper of a Major League team. (Photos courtesy Cincinnati branch PGMS)

The was one of many fascinating details members and guests of the Greater Cincinnati Branch of the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) learned on a recent tour of the team's Great American Ball Park, apart from the 100-plus events that are held on the Kentucky bluegrass field each sedason.

The ball park, located on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, opened in 2003 and features breathtaking views, affordable seating options and homage to the rich history of the Reds, the country's first professional baseball club. Crosley Terrace statues, Italian-marble mosaics, famous-dates banners and a nostalgic Sun/Moon Deck are just a of the features that give this modern structure an historic influence.

There are three full-time professional grounds managers on his staff and 15 to 20 part-time positions during the baseball season.

The dirt surfaces of the infield, batters box and warning track are the primary concern of the players. The dirt consists of 70% sand, 15% silt and 5% clay. Gallant and his staff spend about 80% of their time and energy on the infield surfaces and 20% on the turfgrass.

Gallant uses a “grow blanket” in the spring for the turf to gain a two to three week head start on the growing season. Because of the micro-climate created by the stadium and heat retained by the hardscape areas, Gallant continues to mow into December.

The turf is fertilized with eight pounds of nitrogen per year. He performs three or four soils tests annually.

PGMS suveyed the equipment used at the Great American Ball Park with envious eyes.

The field turf is cut at 1 ¼ in., and is mowed every day there is a home game and every other day during the team’s road trips.

Before next season Gallant is planning to improve the field’s drainage and to switch the turfgrass from a Kentucky bluegrass blend to a blend of five improved perennial ryes.

Gallant stays current on sports turf and field maintainence by consluliting with researchers and extension personnel at The Ohio State University, other professional sports field managers and through PGMS meetings and publications.

It was a comfortable summer’s afternoon with 21 people participating, including members from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College,

Gallant imformed the 21 PGMS members and guests that he often puts in 16-hour days during Reds home stands.

Xavier University, Davey Resource Group, Peter Wimberg Landscaping, H.J. Benkins and Tru-Green ChemLawn.

A special branch thank-you goes to Denny Baker at Cincinnati State for setting up this great program.