rhino
10-20-2006, 08:25 AM
If you haven't overdosed on all things relating to the Tigers yet, here's an article on Heather Nebozny in our local paper (The Milford Times):
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/LIFE/610190775/1104/NEWS11
Milford native preps Comerica Park for start of World Series
By Aileen Wingblad
STAFF WRITER
Like Detroit Tigers fans everywhere, Milford native Heather Nabozny is geeked about the 2006 World Series' scheduled start this Saturday at Comerica Park.
And not just because of her love of baseball and strong support of the Detroit team. This time, the championship will lead off on her turf — literally.
As head groundskeeper for Comerica Park for the past seven years, Nabozny has been in charge of making sure the playing surface is at its optimum, working the field herself while supervising a staff of six full-timers and 38 part-timers. Now, the backdrop for the biggest event of the baseball season is in her hands. And that, she said, is a thrill like no other.
"I can't believe we're in the World Series. You hear it on the radio and TV, and it's like wow!" Nabozny grinned. "I didn't really expect it, but I always hoped for it — it's a groundkeeper's dream to make it in the World Series."
The position, she explained, comes with privilege.
"It's like you're finally in 'the club.' Sure, it's different from what's going on with the players, but still you are going through something not many people get to go through. There's a prestige to it," she said.
Since the Detroit Tigers clinched the American League pennant — and a place in the final series — she's been flooded with congratulatory calls to her office, she said. "It's funny to hear congratulations as a groundskeeper, but it's exciting. The field is where it's all played, and people want to know what we're doing different now that we're in the World Series."
Which is?
"Actually, we are doing everything basically the same that we have all season," Nabozny said. "We are planning no changes. We want to keep the field consistent, what the players are used to."
Of course, there have been some extra preparations — stencils painted on the field, signifying the Tigers' American League Division and American League Championship series titles, as well as the World Series logo. And having the series extend the season when it's at its soggiest has been a bit of a challenge.
But Nabozny isn't complaining. Rather, she considers herself extremely fortunate.
"I like to manage the grounds and I like to get out there on the field, too," she said. Her preferred areas to work on are the infield skin, the pitcher's mound and the home plate area — all which need particular attention to ensure a consistent moisture level that leaves the ground neither too soft nor too hard. "It can be tough to manage," she admitted.
Still, she's confident the crew's hard work makes Comerica Park a terrific place for a ball game. And she prides herself on the compliments she gets from players — both from visiting teams and the Tigers themselves. She noted that Detroit Tiger infielder Brandon Inge usually has plenty of good things to say about the field.
"He is very nice, very complimentary," Nabozny said. "Brandon always makes a point of telling me we do a good job."
Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch also has positive observations about Nabozny's work. "She's extremely talented," Ilitch said. "And she goes to extremes to take care of her 'green baby' out there."
Nabozny smiled at the comment. "Sure, the playing surface is my baby," she said. "It's up to me to make sure the field is in the best possible shape and the safest it can be.
"And the best part about this job — the excitement of having baseball games here, but also the quiet times. I love getting on the mower and getting out there when no one is in the stands, moving along the field, contemplating life. It's both the down time and the excitement — it's a good balance," she said.
Just days before the World Series begins, Comerica Park is buzzing with anticipation, but Nabozny won't make any predictions about the games. Yet regardless of how the series pans out, for Nabozny — and countless other fans — the season will remain a special one, indeed.
"Am I excited? Absolutely. And I hope we win, of course," she said. "But baseball is a funny sport. You just never know. You never know."
Aileen Wingblad is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be reached by phone at (248) 685-1507 ext. 22 or by e-mail at awingblad@gannett.com.
Originally published October 19, 2006
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/LIFE/610190775/1104/NEWS11
Milford native preps Comerica Park for start of World Series
By Aileen Wingblad
STAFF WRITER
Like Detroit Tigers fans everywhere, Milford native Heather Nabozny is geeked about the 2006 World Series' scheduled start this Saturday at Comerica Park.
And not just because of her love of baseball and strong support of the Detroit team. This time, the championship will lead off on her turf — literally.
As head groundskeeper for Comerica Park for the past seven years, Nabozny has been in charge of making sure the playing surface is at its optimum, working the field herself while supervising a staff of six full-timers and 38 part-timers. Now, the backdrop for the biggest event of the baseball season is in her hands. And that, she said, is a thrill like no other.
"I can't believe we're in the World Series. You hear it on the radio and TV, and it's like wow!" Nabozny grinned. "I didn't really expect it, but I always hoped for it — it's a groundkeeper's dream to make it in the World Series."
The position, she explained, comes with privilege.
"It's like you're finally in 'the club.' Sure, it's different from what's going on with the players, but still you are going through something not many people get to go through. There's a prestige to it," she said.
Since the Detroit Tigers clinched the American League pennant — and a place in the final series — she's been flooded with congratulatory calls to her office, she said. "It's funny to hear congratulations as a groundskeeper, but it's exciting. The field is where it's all played, and people want to know what we're doing different now that we're in the World Series."
Which is?
"Actually, we are doing everything basically the same that we have all season," Nabozny said. "We are planning no changes. We want to keep the field consistent, what the players are used to."
Of course, there have been some extra preparations — stencils painted on the field, signifying the Tigers' American League Division and American League Championship series titles, as well as the World Series logo. And having the series extend the season when it's at its soggiest has been a bit of a challenge.
But Nabozny isn't complaining. Rather, she considers herself extremely fortunate.
"I like to manage the grounds and I like to get out there on the field, too," she said. Her preferred areas to work on are the infield skin, the pitcher's mound and the home plate area — all which need particular attention to ensure a consistent moisture level that leaves the ground neither too soft nor too hard. "It can be tough to manage," she admitted.
Still, she's confident the crew's hard work makes Comerica Park a terrific place for a ball game. And she prides herself on the compliments she gets from players — both from visiting teams and the Tigers themselves. She noted that Detroit Tiger infielder Brandon Inge usually has plenty of good things to say about the field.
"He is very nice, very complimentary," Nabozny said. "Brandon always makes a point of telling me we do a good job."
Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch also has positive observations about Nabozny's work. "She's extremely talented," Ilitch said. "And she goes to extremes to take care of her 'green baby' out there."
Nabozny smiled at the comment. "Sure, the playing surface is my baby," she said. "It's up to me to make sure the field is in the best possible shape and the safest it can be.
"And the best part about this job — the excitement of having baseball games here, but also the quiet times. I love getting on the mower and getting out there when no one is in the stands, moving along the field, contemplating life. It's both the down time and the excitement — it's a good balance," she said.
Just days before the World Series begins, Comerica Park is buzzing with anticipation, but Nabozny won't make any predictions about the games. Yet regardless of how the series pans out, for Nabozny — and countless other fans — the season will remain a special one, indeed.
"Am I excited? Absolutely. And I hope we win, of course," she said. "But baseball is a funny sport. You just never know. You never know."
Aileen Wingblad is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be reached by phone at (248) 685-1507 ext. 22 or by e-mail at awingblad@gannett.com.
Originally published October 19, 2006