DAUPHIN, Pa. --- Moravian College's Gillespie Baseball Field has earned the Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization's (KAFMO) Field of Distinction honors for 2016. The award presentation will take place at 1:15 p.m. on February 19 during the 20th Annual KAFMO/PRPS Athletic Field Conference to be held at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, Pennsylvania.

Moravian's Blue & Grey Softball Field earned the KAFMO Field of Distinction Honor in 2012.

"Moravian College can now boast that our baseball and softball fields are award winning fields," noted Moravian General Services Manager Randy Haffling. "They are recognized as being maintained at the highest level and provide a safe environment for our athletes. The award also brings pride to our athletes, coaches and those who maintain the field."

Gillespie Field is named in honor of long-time Moravian baseball coach Harvey Gillespie. The field has been in existence for over fifty years, but has undergone several major and minor renovations to improve both the playing surface and surrounding facilities. One of the unique features of Gillespie Field is the stone drainage system under the infield. This has allowed Moravian, following a heavy rain, to play a scheduled away game at home, because Gillespie was playable when other fields are not. The field is used for spring and fall ball as well as hosting summer baseball camps. Up until 2010 Gillespie Field was maintained by the college, but since then field prep and maintenance has been contracted out to Shearson Environmental Design.

"This is an honor for all of the staff that work on Gillespie Field along with our team," commented Head Coach Paul Englhardt, who is entering his 10th season at Moravian this spring. "We have come a long way with the field since I started, and we still have a lot more we would like to do but winning the Field of Distinction Award shows that we are on the right track."

Field of Distinction honors are awarded annually by KAFMO to facilities that have demonstrated a dedication to providing safe and playable conditions for their users regardless of the level of play. Entrants must supply information on the type of facility, the uses of the facility that impact the playing conditions, the maintenance program, budget and staff. The KAFMO Board of Directors judges entrants.

The Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization is a group of over 300 individuals committed to enhancing the professionalism of athletic field managers in Pennsylvania. The organization's goal is to improve the safety, playability, and appearance of all athletic fields in the state. KAFMO members represent school districts, colleges, professional facilities, park and recreation departments, youth leagues, educators, and commercial vendors.

For more information on the Field of Distinction Award, KAFMO, or the awards ceremony, please contact KAFMO President Dan Douglas at 610-375-8469 ext. 212, or Dave Anderson, Awards Chairman, at 717-618-7029, or email to KAFMO@aol.com. Information is also available at www.KAFMO.org.