Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

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...

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...

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 chec...

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, balan...

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....

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 i...

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 a...

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. Wheth...

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.

In this conversation, Paul Zwaska interviews Steve Trosen from Home Field, discussing the intricacies of ball field construction and maintenance. Steve shares his journey from landscaping to specializing in sports field renovations, emphasizing the importance of surface drainage and proper grading. The discussion covers the challenges faced in achieving optimal drainage, the process of correcting...

Summary In this premiere episode of Inside Edge, host Paul Zwaska shares his journey from being a groundskeeper in Major League Baseball to focusing on youth leagues and community sports. He discusses the importance of maintaining fields at lower levels, creating long-range plans for field maintenance, and the challenges faced in implementing changes. Zwaska emphasizes the significance of budgetin...