FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                       Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
September 10, 2008                                                                                860-309-9293 cell

                                                                                 jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

SILVER CROSS FIELD NAMED BEST PLAYING SURFACE IN THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

 

JOLIET, IL-For the second time in three years, Silver Cross Field has been named “Best Playing Surface” in the Northern League. The award was announced by Northern League Director of Operations Harry Stavrenos and was voted on by Northern League managers, pitching coaches, general managers, radio announcers and local media.

 

“I am honored to win this award,” said JackHammers Head Groundskeeper Nick Hill. “With all the events we host here at Silver Cross Field throughout the spring and summer, I am very proud to have kept the field in such great shape.”

 

Events begin at Silver Cross Field starting in Mid-March with the University of St. Francis using the facility for practices and home games.  High School and youth baseball games are scheduled around the St. Francis season and take place through out the spring.  The JackHammers start spring training in early May, with the season running through the beginning of September.  Other notable events held on the field include both weekends of the IHSA State Baseball Tournaments, JackHammer open try-outs, Joliet District 86 Fantasy Camp Fundraiser and the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago High School Showcase.  The field is finally put to bed for the winter around the end of October.

 

Silver Cross Field is a 27 million dollar facility owned by the city of Joliet and leased by the Joliet JackHammers. The field is composed of Kentucky Bluegrass. Having just completed his third season as the JackHammers Head Groundskeeper, this is the second time in three years that Hill has won the award. The Joliet native also won the award in his first season on the job in 2006. Hill led a staff of five groundskeepers, including his assistant Matt (Hooty) Hotuyec, intern Devin Reese, and game day staffers Josh Tucek and Danny Eicholzer. 

 

The JackHammers are an independent baseball team that plays a 48-game home schedule from mid-May until late August. The team is a member of the independent Northern League of Professional Baseball.

 

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