Smokies Stadium Named Tennessee Pro Sports Field of the Year

SEVIERVILLE - The Tennessee Turfgrass Association has announced that Smokies Stadium has won their prestigious TTA Professional Sports Field of the Year Award. The Smokies were presented with the award from the organization at the TTA Awards Ceremony last night in Franklin, Tenn. Head groundskeeper Anthony DeFeo accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

This is the third honor Smokies Stadium has received from the state of Tennessee during the 2015 calendar year. In July, the renovated ballpark was named Sevier County's Attraction of the Year by the Sevier County Hospitality Association. The association said of the Smokies, "they are always ready and willing to lend a hand. They want to be a good citizen through community service...the investment of not only dollars, but time through their employees' involvement, makes them a strong asset to the local hospitality industry".

In August, Smokies Stadium was recognized by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association as the organization's 2015 Attraction of the Year. As stated by the assocation, the award is "presented to attractions that have shown excellence in tourist development and community service through special programs, events, and marketing campaigns to attract new tourists and visitors to Tennessee. Eligible companies include event venues, golf courses, theme parks, zoos, dinner theaters, museums, and convention centers".

"I'm honored to receive such an award on behalf of the Smokies," said DeFeo. "I am extremely thankful to have the support of the organization for all the work that we do throughout the course of the season."

"It is always nice when you see someone's hard work get noticed," said Smokies' President and COO Chris Allen. "I can't thank the Tennesse Turfgrass Association enough for recognizing what a fantastic job Anthony has done this year. His approach and work ethic is second to none, and it shows when you look at the field!"

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association annually recognizes the personal and professional contributions made to the industry and their organization made by their members. Nominees for the award must have two full seasons of play or operation and are accepted via "voice" or self nomination. Smokies Stadium was honored after the awards committee, consiting of highly regarded TTA professionals, independently judged the entries. 

This is the first time since at least 2010 that Smokies Stadium has received the prestigious award and the third Southern League member to do so. The Chattanooga Lookouts' AT&T Field received the honor in 2013 and the Jackson Generals' then-Pringles Park won the award in 2011.

The Smokies will begin their 2016 campaign at home on Thursday, April 7, starting a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Season ticket and multi-game voucher plans are currently available and can be purchased online at www.smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at (865) 286- 2300.

 

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.