Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

On this episode of The Inside Edge, former big league groundskeepers Paul Zwaska and Tom Burns break down the most common mistakes they see groundskeepers and coaches make on the infield skin.   From watering technique to raking patterns to why cat litter is not a substitute for topdressing, Paul and Tom draw on decades of experience at the professional level to explain what goes wrong, why it happens, and how to fix it.   Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out, this episode is packed with practical, field-tested advice to help you get more out of your infield.

Former MLB groundskeeper Paul Zwaska visits the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, to explore one of the biggest debates in sports field management: natural grass vs. artificial turf. As more facilities consider synthetic surfaces, Paul takes a walk through one of the premier baseball complexes in the country to discuss the advantages, challenges, and tradeoffs of both natural and artificial fields. Artificial turf has come a long way, but in this episode we discuss our concerns about cost, playability, and temperature. Dirt doesn't do that. If you want to learn more about DuraEdge or start your infield renovation project, reach out to us here: https://duraedge.com/contact-us-social/   #Baseball #Groundskeeping #NaturalGrass #ArtificialTurf #USABaseball Ballfields

In this episode of The Inside Edge, former MLB groundskeeper Paul Zwaska breaks down how he approached fundraising while managing a Little League complex.   From building relationships in the community to finding creative ways to bring in funding, Paul walks through the decisions, challenges, and lessons that helped support the facility over time.   If you’re responsible for a field and trying to figure out how to fund improvements, this is a practical look at what it really takes.   Get the guide here: https://issuu.com/duraedge_products/docs/de-fundraising-ebook Little League grants: https://www.littleleague.org/grant-resources/   If you have questions, reach out to us at [email protected]

Is your ballfield ready for the season? In this episode of The Inside Edge, former big league groundskeepers Paul Zwaska and Tom Burns sit down for a deep dive into spring sports field maintenance everything high school, middle school, and recreational field managers need to know before the first game.   From managing frost heave on home plates and mounds to building a complete spring opening checklist, Tom shares the hard-won secrets that separate sharp-looking, safe fields from problem-prone ones. Whether you're dealing with winter damage, weed pressure, or irrigation startup after a long off-season, this episode covers the full picture of spring field prep — including spring opening checklists, frost and snow impacts on infields and mounds, fencing and padding inspection, infield skin restoration, crabgrass prevention timing, pre-emergent application, edging, top dressing, low spot identification, drag work, irrigation startup, mowing height recommendations, and seeding considerations.   Whether you're a volunteer groundskeeper at a local Little League complex or a dedicated sports turf manager overseeing multiple high school fields, Tom and Paul's practical, experience-backed advice will help you optimize your spring routine, improve field safety, and take real pride in the fields you maintain.   Season Opening Checklist: https://duraedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DE-Checklist-spring.pdf

In this episode of The Inside Edge, former MLB groundskeeper Paul Zwaska sits down with Andy Ommen, founder of Professional Outdoor Solutions, LLC, to talk about how he went from being a dedicated baseball parent and former college football player to winning Field of the Year and launching his own turf solutions company. Andy shares insights on building community pride through better fields, balancing sports with family life, and what it takes to turn passion into a profession.

Before you pack up your rakes for the season, make sure your field is ready to handle the winter months. In this episode of The Inside Edge, former MLB Groundskeeper Paul Zwaska walks through a complete fall field maintenance checklist. Whether you manage a Little League, high school, or college field, these tips will help you save time, reduce spring repairs, and extend the life of your infield. Need help getting your field ready for next season? Reach out to us here: https://duraedge.com/contact-us/

In this episode of The Inside Edge, Paul Zwaska sits down with members of the Minnesota Baseball Association board to dive into the story of the Minnesota Town Ball Tournament. Together, they explore what it takes to build and sustain a thriving baseball tradition in small town America. From volunteerism to fundraising to creating a culture that keeps the game alive for generations, this episode is full of lessons for anyone passionate about community baseball. Want to connect with us about your own field or program? Visit duraedge.com/contact-us-social/

Join us on Inside Edge as we dive into the world of ballpark design with expert Ross Clites. Discover the innovative strategies and insights that are transforming how we think about recreational ball fields. From the challenges of maintaining diverse surfaces to the art of creating memorable experiences, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge for anyone interested in the future of sports architecture. Tune in to learn how thoughtful design can elevate the game and create lasting memories.

Too hard? Too soft? Too dusty? For years, fixing infield problems meant guessing. More sand here, more clay there. But when you're working on a tight budget, you can't afford to get it wrong. In this episode of The Inside Edge, former MLB Groundskeeper Paul Zwaska talks about why guessing won’t cut it and how to take a smarter approach to diagnosing and solving issues with your infield soil. Whether you're a parks director, coach, or volunteer groundskeeper, this one’s packed with practical advice to help you make the most of your resources and get the performance you’re after.

Join us for the the 3rd episode of The Inside Edge featuring former MLB Groundskeepers, Paul Zwaska and Michael Boettcher. In this episode, the guys discuss water and how it isn't always your enemy. Sometimes, water can be the "secret sauce" your ballfield needs to thrive.