Textron Keeps Major League Ball Parks A Cut Above The Rest

    PROVIDENCE, R.I.--April 30, 2003--Baseball parks across America are now open for the 2003 season, thanks in part to the diligent work of grounds crews in the off-season. Many of the world's most famous and most watched fields are prepared and maintained using the innovative technology of Textron's Jacobsen, Cushman and Ryan turf care equipment.
    "We are very proud that the Textron family of products is used to maintain the flawless playing surfaces demanded by some of the world's greatest athletes," said Jon Carlson, president of Jacobsen.
    Among the many fields maintained with Textron equipment is Edison Field in Anaheim. The World Champion Anaheim Angels showed their patriotism on opening day when the letters USA were boldly displayed on left, center and right fields. Greenskeeper Barney Lopas and his crew created this visual display using Jacobsen Greens King VI tri-plex riding greens mowers and a full complement of Jacobsen PGM 22 and Greens King 526 walk behind mowers. This same equipment was used to prepare the field for the World Series last year when a star was displayed in the middle of the outfield. Lopas also uses E-Z-GO golf cars, also produced by Textron, for his crew and Cushman Turf-Trucksters for turf maintenance jobs.
    Another Textron-maintained field celebrates its 40th season this year in Los Angeles. Dodger Stadium's lush grass field is maintained by a variety of Jacobsen products. Groundskeeper Eric Hansen and his team rely on three Jacobsen GreensKing VI tri-plex riding greens mowers and Greens Kings 526 walk-behind greens mowers to cut the infield, outfield, foul territory and bull-pens. They use the Textron's trucksters and groomers on the base paths to keep them smooth and free of ruts. A full complement of E-Z-GO cars move players and game personnel around before and during the games.
    Textron companies are the largest providers of high quality mowers, aerators, utility vehicles, golf cars and turf specialty products in the world. The New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics, as well as many other top professional and collegiate sports teams, play on fields maintained by crews using Textron equipment.

    Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company with 49,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening systems, industrial products and components and finance. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.