THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 3, 1995 TAG: 9507030143
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Norfolk Tides head groundskeeper Kenny Magner is seeing red over the lack of green on the Harbor Park infield.
And he points to himself for the spottiness on the infield, and part of the outfield, that has marred the park's usual rich green appearance.
``It's just killing me,'' said Magner, who was named the International League's top groundskeeper in 1993, Harbor Park's first season. ``The field's where it should be in April or May.''
Magner said the bare spots that pock the field are a result of overseeding rye grass last November. After the Fish Bowl college football game was particularly hard on the field, Magner said it was important to get grass back up so there would be something to play baseball on in April.
But in overseeding, Magner said, the rye choked off the bermuda grass that was to replace it in the spring. Thus the bermuda is still coming in.
Magner, who has had top turf consultants in from out of state, said he hopes the rehabilitative steps he is taking will improve the surface markedly by the end of the month, but it can only be pushed along so quickly.
``By then I hope to get it to where the average person wouldn't know there was anything wrong,'' Magner said.
``It a process. We're going to have to wait.''
THE NATURAL CHOICE: Before Sunday's game, Richmond manager Grady Little, who will manage the National League team in the Triple-A all-star game, was given the opportunity to name Tides righthander Jason Isringhausen to start the game for his team.
He didn't officially do it, but just about said Isringhausen would start.
``I'll have to talk to the other people,'' Little said of his all-star staff, ``but right now I don't see how it could be anybody except him.''
Of course, Little said, ``a lot of things can happen between now and then. He could be pitching in New York by then.''
Isringhausen is slated to be promoted at some point this season. But indications are the Mets will not take him at least until after the all-star game.
BRIEF GOODBYE: The Tides head to Charlotte today for a two-game series against the Charlotte Knights, their first date with the Knights since April 30. Charlotte has the worst record in the IL at 33-49.
The Tides return to Harbor Park on Wednesday for six games against Charlotte and Ottawa. by CNB