Comments on: Fields of False Dreams: Scotts Joins Forces With Major League Baseball http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/ Organic Lawn Care Articles Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:18:21 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Paul Tukey http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-16780 Paul Tukey Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:02:44 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-16780 Mr. GreenThumb, As a journalist first and a professional landscape contractor second during my career, my first inclination is to report the news. We have hundreds of examples of peer reviewed studies that show pesticide — and fertilizer — products to be dangerous and various ways. And each and every time we report on these studies, the chemical industry responds the same way my teenager does . . . with a "Yeah, but . . . " It doesn't matter how many studies come out, guys like you are going to believe what you want to believe — just like I believe what I believe. Where's the science that shows these products are safe? It's not out there; it doesn't exist. And, in fact, it's illegal to say a pesticide is safe. Mr. GreenThumb,
As a journalist first and a professional landscape contractor second during my career, my first inclination is to report the news. We have hundreds of examples of peer reviewed studies that show pesticide — and fertilizer — products to be dangerous and various ways. And each and every time we report on these studies, the chemical industry responds the same way my teenager does . . . with a “Yeah, but . . . ” It doesn’t matter how many studies come out, guys like you are going to believe what you want to believe — just like I believe what I believe. Where’s the science that shows these products are safe? It’s not out there; it doesn’t exist. And, in fact, it’s illegal to say a pesticide is safe.

]]> By: GreenThumb http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-16764 GreenThumb Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:18:35 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-16764 Its too bad guys like you Tukey cant get past your own political biases and report science and fact. Please provide any supporting evidence that the field that these guys are stepping out on to are dangerous. Maybe become an agronomist and then refute what the head groundskeeper is doing. Its too bad guys like you Tukey cant get past your own political biases and report science and fact. Please provide any supporting evidence that the field that these guys are stepping out on to are dangerous. Maybe become an agronomist and then refute what the head groundskeeper is doing.

]]> By: On Our First Anniversary: Your Top 10 Posts | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-16057 On Our First Anniversary: Your Top 10 Posts | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:05:25 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-16057 [...] Major League Baseball’s Sellout . . . A core group of people were outraged when we ran the news Jan. 25 about Major League Baseball’s deal with Scotts Miracle Gro. Alas, subsequent efforts to do something about it fell on deaf ears. I consider that to be one of the major failings of the SafeLawns campaign so far in 2010 — http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-majo... [...] [...] Major League Baseball’s Sellout . . . A core group of people were outraged when we ran the news Jan. 25 about Major League Baseball’s deal with Scotts Miracle Gro. Alas, subsequent efforts to do something about it fell on deaf ears. I consider that to be one of the major failings of the SafeLawns campaign so far in 2010 — http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-majo... [...]

]]> By: head groundskeeper http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-8715 head groundskeeper Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:18:15 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-8715 [...] going in the same ... The lizard quick as a flash, ran around my back and then up on to my head. ...Fields of False Dreams: Scotts Joins Forces With Major League ...Dave Mellor, head groundskeeper for the Boston Red Sox. Having survived two of its most ... Also, [...] [...] going in the same … The lizard quick as a flash, ran around my back and then up on to my head. …Fields of False Dreams: Scotts Joins Forces With Major League …Dave Mellor, head groundskeeper for the Boston Red Sox. Having survived two of its most … Also, [...]

]]> By: Opening Day No Way: Let Baseball Know How You Feel About Their Miracle Gro Deal | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-8676 Opening Day No Way: Let Baseball Know How You Feel About Their Miracle Gro Deal | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:25:59 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-8676 [...] since the news broke at the end of January that Major League Baseball had sold out to Scotts Miracle Gro on a deal to “re-ignite the contest for the best lawn in the neighborhood,” [...] [...] since the news broke at the end of January that Major League Baseball had sold out to Scotts Miracle Gro on a deal to “re-ignite the contest for the best lawn in the neighborhood,” [...]

]]> By: Earth Day’s Newest Sponsor? . . . ChemLawn | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-6767 Earth Day’s Newest Sponsor? . . . ChemLawn | Safelawns Daily Post and Q&A Blog Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:29:28 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-6767 [...] Major League Baseball decided to make money from Scotts to re-ignite the “competition for the best lawn in the [...] [...] Major League Baseball decided to make money from Scotts to re-ignite the “competition for the best lawn in the [...]

]]> By: Goneorganic http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-4788 Goneorganic Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:21:15 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-4788 Give me a break. If you know anything about re-entry protocols for many of these fungicides and pesticides, you know that there simply isn't enough time in many cases to let the fields stand long enough before the players or golfers re-enter. To suggest that this NEVER happens is ludicrous. We are putting professional baseball players at risk all the time. Give me a break. If you know anything about re-entry protocols for many of these fungicides and pesticides, you know that there simply isn’t enough time in many cases to let the fields stand long enough before the players or golfers re-enter. To suggest that this NEVER happens is ludicrous. We are putting professional baseball players at risk all the time.

]]> By: Turfie http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-4783 Turfie Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:33:23 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-4783 I totally related to the groundskeeper who was mortified to let players practice in a freshly sprayed field. I worked on a golf course for years and we would frequently spray fungicides on a fairway or green with golfers right behind us. There simply wasn't time to spray and keep people off the turf for the necessary amount of time. This happens all the time unfortunately. I am currently trying to make up for the sins of the past by working organic whenever I can. I totally related to the groundskeeper who was mortified to let players practice in a freshly sprayed field. I worked on a golf course for years and we would frequently spray fungicides on a fairway or green with golfers right behind us. There simply wasn’t time to spray and keep people off the turf for the necessary amount of time. This happens all the time unfortunately. I am currently trying to make up for the sins of the past by working organic whenever I can.

]]> By: Paul Tukey http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-4749 Paul Tukey Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:00:08 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-4749 I stand by the interview with the former groundskeeper, who worked at Fenway Park prior to Dave Mellor's tenure as the top guy. I cannot name the groundskeeper out of his desire to remain anonymous. He fears being chastised by the industry and if i read any emotion into your all caps, I'm guessing his fear would be justified. This individual does have an advanced degree in agronomy. It's difficult not to get emotional about this issue, I admit. I've spent time with several groundskeepers and, in their heart of hearts, they call know its not reasonable for a homeowner to have a lawn that looks like Fenway. The environmental community is going to raise some hell with this in the coming months. I honestly hope Scotts lives to regret this decision. I stand by the interview with the former groundskeeper, who worked at Fenway Park prior to Dave Mellor’s tenure as the top guy. I cannot name the groundskeeper out of his desire to remain anonymous. He fears being chastised by the industry and if i read any emotion into your all caps, I’m guessing his fear would be justified. This individual does have an advanced degree in agronomy.

It’s difficult not to get emotional about this issue, I admit. I’ve spent time with several groundskeepers and, in their heart of hearts, they call know its not reasonable for a homeowner to have a lawn that looks like Fenway. The environmental community is going to raise some hell with this in the coming months. I honestly hope Scotts lives to regret this decision.

]]> By: exgroundskeeper http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2010/01/fields-of-false-dreams-scotts-joins-forces-with-major-league-baseball/comment-page-1/#comment-4741 exgroundskeeper Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:03:35 +0000 http://www.safelawns.org/blog/?p=784#comment-4741 one thought - "toxic" fungicides and the like would NEVER be sprayed right before the players took the field - anything toxic enough for the players would be all the more toxic for the groundskeeper, and we're not going to hurt ourselves much less risk hurting a MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR player. Also, only the HEAD Groundskeeper and his Assistant have BS and MS degrees in agronomy, the rest of the groundskeeping staff are just normal guys - not experts - you don't say which level of staff you spoke with, but I know Dave Mellor in Boston has been there for, what, at least seven years?? Its a shame to see such a low blow to make within an otherwise EXCELLENT thought. I really hate to see emotion being dragged in when it needn't be because the rest of the argument is so valid and well thought out. Here, if you need more kindling, try this one out: I'm still trying to figure out how Scott's (a seed company) convinces all the other seed companies who own the rights to the multitude of varieties on all the different MLB fields to give those rights to a competitor. Nevermind that the deal is with MLB and NOT the Groundskeepers - so they have no say in what is actually going in to the bag...Also, what do you want to bet they're not being compensated for their "endorsement?" one thought – “toxic” fungicides and the like would NEVER be sprayed right before the players took the field – anything toxic enough for the players would be all the more toxic for the groundskeeper, and we’re not going to hurt ourselves much less risk hurting a MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR player. Also, only the HEAD Groundskeeper and his Assistant have BS and MS degrees in agronomy, the rest of the groundskeeping staff are just normal guys – not experts – you don’t say which level of staff you spoke with, but I know Dave Mellor in Boston has been there for, what, at least seven years?? Its a shame to see such a low blow to make within an otherwise EXCELLENT thought. I really hate to see emotion being dragged in when it needn’t be because the rest of the argument is so valid and well thought out. Here, if you need more kindling, try this one out: I’m still trying to figure out how Scott’s (a seed company) convinces all the other seed companies who own the rights to the multitude of varieties on all the different MLB fields to give those rights to a competitor. Nevermind that the deal is with MLB and NOT the Groundskeepers – so they have no say in what is actually going in to the bag…Also, what do you want to bet they’re not being compensated for their “endorsement?”

]]>