California League Names Sean Cheng Groundskeeper of the Year
The head groundskeeper at Ontario’s ONT Field earns top league honors for the second consecutive season.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Baseball
The California League of Minor League Baseball has selected Sean Cheng as the 2026 Head Groundskeeper of the Year. This award follows his recognition for the same honor in 2025.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the critical role of field maintenance in minor league play as evaluated by league managers, players, and executives. Cheng successfully retained the title while managing playing surfaces in his first year at the home of the Ontario Tower Buzzers.
The award selection is based on league-wide surveys involving managers, players, and executives across the California League. Cheng previously achieved this recognition in 2025 while managing the field at Banner Island Ballpark.
The players
Sean Cheng
He is the award-winning professional groundskeeper currently employed at ONT Field.
Ontario Tower Buzzers
This team is a single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers that plays its home games at ONT Field.
California League
This is the governing minor league organization that presents the annual groundskeeper award based on member feedback.
The details
Sean Cheng is the current head groundskeeper at ONT Field, which hosts the Ontario Tower Buzzers, a single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before his time in Ontario, Cheng held roles with the Oakland Athletics, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco Giants, Sacramento River Cats, and Saint Mary's College.
Timeline
2025: Sean Cheng won the Head Groundskeeper of the Year award.
2026: Sean Cheng won the Head Groundskeeper of the Year award.
Season Trajectory
By earning the award again, Cheng follows his 2025 Head Groundskeeper of the Year award with a rare back-to-back achievement. This consistency in field quality supports the development of prospects for the Los Angeles Dodgers within the Ontario Tower Buzzers organization.
Players and managers in the California League acknowledge that field quality directly affects game safety and ball movement on the diamond. Maintaining a high-standard surface at ONT Field remains a key component in the facility's operations for the upcoming minor league season.
The takeaway
Maintaining professional-grade playing surfaces requires significant technical expertise and consistency over multiple years. Aspiring groundskeepers can look to Cheng's diverse background with major professional franchises as a blueprint for success in the field.
Further reading
For more news from the league, visit the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Bernardino Sun.
