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Gibsons man named top turf tech

Ross Baron
turf
Photo (from left): Maclean White, Sarah Walz, Ross Baron and Winston Tukariri make up the A&B Tool Rentals Grounds Crew.

If you’ve ever made the trek to Vancouver to watch the Northwest League’s Vancouver Canadians play at Nat Bailey and come away impressed with the state of the field, you’re not the only one.

Canadians head groundskeeper Ross Baron, originally from Gibsons, has been named the Sports Turf Manager of the Year for the Northwest League.

According to a release from the Canadians, this is the first time in franchise history one the team’s groundskeepers has won the honour.

Baron, 31, graduated from the University of Guelph with an associate diploma in Turf Grass Management and was part of the Washington Nationals Internship Program and worked the 2012 Major League Baseball season at Nationals Park.

Baron took on the job of head groundskeeper for the Canadians this past spring, and rebuilt the field at Nat Bailey from scratch after stripping the entire infield and irrigation system. The team said he also brought in a higher performing sod and proper fertilization schedule, widened the warning track and laser leveled the playing surface.

“I’m honoured to be able to work with an organization that is committed to providing our players with a professional playing surface,” Baron said. “We took on a large off-season project head-on, and this justifies the commitment of not only our organization but that of our partners who provided us with the tools we needed to restructure our field.”

Baron offered praise for his grounds crew. “The hours and work put in by my crew Winston Tukariri, Sarah Walz and Maclean White are why we are receiving this honour… There was never a moment from day one where these three weren’t ready to accept whatever challenge was put before them, and I am proud to share this award with them.”