MADISON – It’s a dirty job and Charlie Weaver is proud to do it.
And, for his efforts, Weaver – the head groundskeeper for the Rocket City Trash Pandas – was named the 2022 Minor League Baseball Groundskeeper of the Year.
The award honors Weaver and his crew for making Toyota Field the best among all 120 Minor League Baseball teams.
“Winning something like this is very meaningful to me, just to have our hard work recognized throughout the entire season,” Weaver said. “To be acknowledged as the best in the league and all of baseball truly means a lot.”
Trash Pandas Manager Andy Schatzley, who sees Weaver’s craft up close and, perhaps, more close than anyone else, said he is appreciative of the work by Weaver and the groundskeeping crew.
“All of us are so excited for Charlie and his staff,” he said. “It’s an incredible accomplishment and doesn’t surprise any of us who are lucky enough to be around him every day.”
A Madison native, Bob Jones High School alumnus, and former pitcher for the University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team, Weaver returned to his hometown and joined the Trash Pandas in July 2019 after working for the minor league Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Maintaining one of the newest ballparks in Minor League Baseball has been no easy task. But Weaver, with Assistant Groundskeeper Colby Hunter and a dedicated team of game day employees by his side, have perfected the job since Toyota Field opened.
This past season, the Trash Pandas grounds crew stayed busy as the team played a full 69-game home schedule, as well as the first two playoff games in Toyota Field history.
And, typical for him, Weaver gave the credit to his crew – and wife.
“To win something like this takes a great group of people around you,” Weaver said. “I would not be able to do anything like this if it wasn’t for Colby, our game day staff, the support of our front office, and especially my wife.
“This should be a grounds crew of the year award, because without everyone else, none of this would be possible.”
Outside the Trash Pandas’ home schedule, Toyota Field hosted other events in 2022 including high school and college baseball, concerts, youth baseball camps, and even a Division I college football game. Throughout all of that, the grounds crew kept the field in top shape, making sure players and fans had the best experience possible at the ballpark.
Weaver earned the award by constantly being ranked among the best in baseball by his peers.
In surveys conducted throughout the Southern League, the playing surface at Toyota Field has been called the best in the circuit.
Weaver’s field received the highest praise in each category including infield and outfield turf areas, player safety, professionalism of crew, and handling of weather conditions, which can be especially tough throughout rainy Alabama summers.
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