Chris Lessig CFSTMA LLWS Volunteer
In 1995 I was asked to serve on the first Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization (KAFMO) board of directors and served on the board for the next 15 years. As the Pennsylvania chapter of the national Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) KAFMO was contacted by Little League International in 1995 to help renovate the field at Howard J. Lamade Stadium which has been the site of the Little League World Series (LLWS) since 1959. Following the renovation, a partnership formed between KAFMO & Little League International to help provide sports field management service for the LLWS and to provide consulting service during the off season.
As a board member of KAFMO I began working on the grounds crew for the LLWS in 1997. At that time there were 8 teams in the Series, 4 international teams and 4 US teams. Since then, there have been many changes including three more complete field renovations, countless field improvements, the addition of a second stadium (Volunteer Stadium) and the addition of a Challenger Game. The LLWS now includes 20 teams, 10 international teams and 10 US teams and has partnered with Major League Baseball to include an MLB Game called the “Little League Classic” at the historic Bowman field home to the Williamsport Crosscutters.
When I started on the series grounds crew, only the final Little League Series game was televised, now the coverage begins with regional games and include every game up to and including the final. There are hundreds of stories and experiences I’ve been fortunate to be part of in my 26 years of working the grounds crew for the series, however by far the best experience has been the tremendous networking with other crew members and always learning new field management operations and certainly at the top are the great friendships I’ve been able to have with these folks. If you happen to find yourself in Williamsport, Pa in late August don’t miss the opportunity to stop by to see a few games, there is no charge for any little league game and please stop by and say hello to the grounds crew, they might just put you to work!
Chris Lessig
Pres. Central Florida Sports Turf Managers
Operations Manager Volusia County Parks