Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

How Top Baseball Programs Are Raising Money for Their Facilities | Inside Edge S2E2

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 [https://issuu.com/duraedge_products/docs/de-fundraising-ebook] Little League grants: https://www.littleleague.org/grant-resources/ [https://www.littleleague.org/grant-resources/]   If you have questions, reach out to us at insideedge@duraedge.com

Ballfield Season Opening Checklist | Inside Edge S2E1

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 [https://duraedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DE-Checklist-spring.pdf]

From Bad Hops to Field of The Year | Inside Edge Ep. 8

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.

Fall Ballfield Maintenance Checklist: How to Prep Your Infield for Winter | Inside Edge Ep. 7

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/

The SECRET to thriving ballparks in small town America | Inside Edge Ep. 6

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/