Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

About Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

The Inside Edge, hosted by former MLB Groundskeeper Paul Zwaska, is your go-to podcast for keeping ballparks at their best. Whether you’re maintaining a Little League field, a high school diamond, or a local rec park, we’re here to help you create safer, more playable infields. Tune in for expert advice, hands-on tips, and conversations that give you The Inside Edge on ballfield maintenance. Brought to you by DuraEdge.

Publisher

zbuckleyduraedge

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Apr 2025

Latest episode

25 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Aug 2026

   Infield Mistakes Every Groundskeeper Should Avoid | Inside Edge S2 E4

   On this episode of The Inside Edge, former big league groundskeepers Paul Zwaska and Tom Burns break down the most common mistakes they see groundskeepers and coaches make on the infield skin. From watering technique to raking patterns to why cat litter is not a substitute for topdressing, Paul and Tom draw on decades of experience at the professional level to explain what goes wrong, why it happens, and how to fix it. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out, this episode is packed with practical, field-tested advice to help you get more out of your infield.

2. 

   18 Jun 2026

   What Groundskeepers Really Think About Turf vs Grass | Inside Edge S2E3

   Former MLB groundskeeper Paul Zwaska visits the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, to explore one of the biggest debates in sports field management: natural grass vs. artificial turf. As more facilities consider synthetic surfaces, Paul takes a walk through one of the premier baseball complexes in the country to discuss the advantages, challenges, and tradeoffs of both natural and artificial fields. Artificial turf has come a long way, but in this episode we discuss our concerns about cost, playability, and temperature. Dirt doesn't do that. If you want to learn more about DuraEdge or start your infield renovation project, reach out to us here: https://duraedge.com/contact-us-social/ #Baseball #Groundskeeping #NaturalGrass #ArtificialTurf #USABaseball Ballfields

3. 

   13 Apr 2026

   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 Little League grants: https://www.littleleague.org/grant-resources/ If you have questions, reach out to us at insideedge@duraedge.com

4. 

   5 Mar 2026

   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

5. 

   17 Nov 2025

   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.

6. 

   9 Oct 2025

   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/

7. 

   10 Sept 2025

   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/

8. 

   6 Aug 2025

   Unlocking Secrets To Ballpark Design | Inside Edge Ep. 5

   Join us on Inside Edge as we dive into the world of ballpark design with expert Ross Clites. Discover the innovative strategies and insights that are transforming how we think about recreational ball fields. From the challenges of maintaining diverse surfaces to the art of creating memorable experiences, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge for anyone interested in the future of sports architecture. Tune in to learn how thoughtful design can elevate the game and create lasting memories.

9. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Quit Guessing With Your Infield Soil... Do A Soil Test Instead! | Inside Edge Ep. 4

   Former MLB Groundskeeper Paul Zwaska discusses the importance of soil testing over guesswork for diagnosing and solving infield soil issues, offering practical advice for groundskeepers to optimize resources.

10. 

    30 May 2025

    The "Secret Sauce" Your Ballfield's Infield Skin Needs... Water

    Former MLB Groundskeepers Paul Zwaska and Michael Boettcher explore how water can be a beneficial element for maintaining a thriving ballfield, contrary to common assumptions in this interview episode.

11. 

    23 Apr 2025

    How The Pros Approach Surface Grading and Drainage: Inside Edge Ep.2

    In this conversation, Paul Zwaska interviews Steve Trosen from Home Field, discussing the intricacies of ball field construction and maintenance. Steve shares his journey from landscaping to specializing in sports field renovations, emphasizing the importance of surface drainage and proper grading. The discussion covers the challenges faced in achieving optimal drainage, the process of correcting surface grades, and the significance of hiring qualified contractors for field renovations. Steve also highlights the maintenance required to ensure the longevity and playability of ball fields, providing insights into the materials and techniques used in the industry.

12. 

    4 Apr 2025

    Episode 1: MLB Groundskeeper's Experience Implementing His Expertise Into Little League

    Summary In this premiere episode of Inside Edge, host Paul Zwaska shares his journey from being a groundskeeper in Major League Baseball to focusing on youth leagues and community sports. He discusses the importance of maintaining fields at lower levels, creating long-range plans for field maintenance, and the challenges faced in implementing changes. Zwaska emphasizes the significance of budgeting, investing in quality equipment, and enhancing the overall experience for families involved in youth sports. He concludes with valuable lessons learned throughout his experience in sports management. In this conversation, Paul shares insights on creating exceptional youth sports facilities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-quality fields to attract families. He discusses the satisfaction derived from working with youth leagues compared to professional baseball, highlighting the need for better field maintenance at higher levels. The conversation also covers regional differences in field maintenance practices, innovative solutions for common challenges, and practical maintenance tips for optimal field performance. Links National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ncrfc/LMI_FrostDepthMap GDDTracker: https://gddtracker.msu.edu/?model=7&offset=0&zip=53507 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inside Edge and Host Background 03:01 Journey from Major League Baseball to Youth Leagues 05:59 Creating a Long-Range Plan for Field Maintenance 08:53 Challenges in Implementing Change 11:49 Upgrading Facilities and Community Engagement 15:12 Budgeting and Financial Management in Youth Sports 18:02 Investing in Quality Equipment and Facilities 21:08 Increasing Participation and Revenue Growth 23:58 Enhancing the Overall Experience for Families 26:48 Lessons Learned and Future Directions 36:29 Creating Exceptional Youth Sports Facilities 39:25 Regional Differences in Field Maintenance 58:53 Innovative Solutions for Field Maintenance 01:12:05

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

11

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Inside Edge: The Groundskeeper’s Playbook

Guest appearances

Books guests

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