When most people think of the Little League Baseball® World Series, they picture home runs, high-fives, and the thrill of the international competition. But long before that first pitch is thrown in Williamsport each August, someone has been mowing, raking, edging, and planning – ensuring that each field shines for the world to see. For the past 10 years, that someone has been Rob Guthrie, the Head of Turf and Groundskeeping for Little League®.
Discovering His Passion
A native of nearby State College, Pennsylvania, Guthrie grew up just about an hour from Williamsport and spent his childhood summers much like the players he now prepares fields for – on the diamond.
“I really only played Little League baseball growing up, and it was such a fun part of my childhood,” said Guthrie.
After aging out of Little League, Guthrie found himself on a different set of grounds – one filled with bunkers, fairways, and greens. Guthrie started working on golf courses at the age of 18 and steadily climbed the ranks while earning his degree in turf ground science from Penn State University. One day, fate intervened. While posting on a job site for help on the golf course one summer, he noticed a job posting with Little League.
“I got it, came in, and it was my kind of chance to have my own fields to take care of instead of being under someone else,” said Guthrie “So I jumped at it, and it has been great ever since.”
Although, there would be a learning curve to this new role. Guthrie did not know much about dirt but was ready to learn how to take care of it.
Since joining the Little League team in 2015, Guthrie has developed a deep understanding of not just how the grass reacts to the Pennsylvania weather, but also how to manage the complex ecosystem of a baseball field – from infield dirt to warning tracks. The fields at the Little League International Complex are not just a backdrop for games; they are carefully curated designed for safety and performance.
Getting the Fields Ready
Each January, Guthrie starts working solo, maintaining both Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer stadiums as well as the various practice fields. Come mid-May, he is joined by two interns, and then about a week before games start in Williamsport, a dedicated group of 16 volunteers arrive at the complex to help Guthrie with game day prep.
During the LLBWS, Guthrie’s mornings begin at 7 a.m., mowing the fields alongside the interns. By 8 a.m., the whole crew gathers for the daily morning meeting. The day’s game schedule, special events, and weather contingencies are discussed, and a white board outlines who will tackle what at each field. Then it’s breakfast and back on the mower for Guthrie. A full day of behind-the-scenes work to ensure the fields are perfect, and it all happens before the first pitch.
As the tournament has grown – from 16 to 20 teams – so has the demand on the fields. More games, more practices, and more wear and tear. Guthrie and his crew have met the challenge and refined their prep technique each year.
“A lot of people don’t realize the amount of prep work that goes into the fields even in June and July before people start to arrive for the World Series,” said Guthrie. “But, that is the whole point. They should not see us right before the game scrambling to prepare the field.”
The magic is made mostly in-house. Very little work is contracted out, a point of pride for Guthrie. He also brings Little League’s high standards to the region tournaments, traveling to teach the grounds crews at each location how to provide safe, consistent playing conditions.
To stay organized, Guthrie keeps a log of what he did the previous year, what worked and what didn’t, helping him fine-tune the fields each season. There are the quiet months in the fall and winter, but then there is the rush of the series in the spring and summer.
“There is a rhythm to it, there is calm and then there is chaos,” said Guthrie.
Still, nothing quite compares to that moment when teams arrive and step onto the field for the first time.
“A lot of these kids have never played on a surface like this, so seeing their faces and their excitement makes it all worth it,” said Guthrie.
And while Guthrie cherishes all the moments that have made up his 10 years at Little League, there is one year that stands out: the year that Redland Little League traveled 90 minutes to Williamsport from Harrisburg. Guthrie’s wife is originally from that area, making their run in the tournament even more special, and seeing the crowds made it that much more memorable.
“I looked out to the famous hill, and it was just a sea of people. It was something that I will never forget,” said Guthrie. Guthrie’s advice to those working on field maintenance at the local level is to keep a schedule, stick to a routine, and to use the help around you.
From early morning field prep to leading a trusted team of volunteers each summer, Guthrie plays a vital – yet often unseen – role in making the LLBWS a world-class experience. The dedication to every blade of grass and inch of dirt is what leads to creating unforgettable moments for players, coaches, and fans. While the LLBWS shines on these young athletes, Guthrie’s work behind the scenes is what makes the magic possible – summer after summer.
This feature is part of a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights, highlighting the career journey of the organization’s employees, which began during Little League’s Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50) in 2024.