NE-SFMA Sports Field Forum (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Managing moisture is one of the biggest challenges in maintaining safe, consistent playing fields. At this seminar, you'll learn how soil surfactants can help improve water movement, reduce dry spots, and create more uniform playing conditions. From understanding the basics of how water behaves in the soil to applying surfactants in everyday field management, you'll gain practical strategies that can help improve turf health, field consistency, and athlete safety.

Maximizing Playability: Using Soil Surfactants to Improve Playing Surfaces

Christian Baldwin, Ph.D.
Scientist, Educator & Researcher
The Aquatrols Company

Learn how soil conditions affect water movement and field performance, and how today's surfactant technologies can help turf managers address common challenges such as localized dry spots, uneven moisture distribution, and inconsistent playing conditions. The session will also touch on synthetic fields, including approaches to infill stabilization, static control, and overall playability management.

Understand how soil surfactants improve water movement and help create more consistent playing conditions.
Take away practical approaches for reducing dry spots and managing moisture more effectively throughout the season.
Review results from university research and field applications that demonstrate the value of surfactants in both natural and synthetic sports surfaces.

Putting Soil Surfactants to Work

James Lappetito
Head Sports Turf Manager
Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

As home to UConn Football and host to major concerts and events, Rentschler Field demands high-performing surfaces under a wide range of conditions. Following the classroom session, we'll head out to the field with James Lappetito and his team to see how scouting and monitoring are used in real-world operations to improve field consistency, maintain playability, and support athlete safety. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into the decision-making, techniques, and tools used to manage one of New England's premier sports and entertainment venues.

About our Speakers

Christian Baldwin, PhD completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Clemson University, followed by MS & PhD degrees in turfgrass science with an emphasis area

on turfgrass stress physiology. He has a global reach, having authored and/or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and 9 book chapters, presenting his research findings throughout the United States and numerous countries worldwide: all focusing on research findings in various disciplines within turfgrass science.

As Global Technical Services Manager for the Aquatrols Company, Dr. Baldwin directs and oversees technical support efforts across the Aquatrols’ complete product portfolio, ensuring customers receive the best solutions for their specific needs.

James Lapetito earned his B.S. in crop and soil science at Michigan State University focusing on Turfgrass Management. He has worked in both golf and sports turf having experience on MLS and NFL fields and training facilities. Now the Head Sports Turf Manager at Rentschler Field, home of the UCONN Huskies Football Team as well as a multi-use venue for concerts and other sporting events. Through his experience he has developed a collaborative leadership style with his maintenance team focusing on scouting and monitoring to maintain optimal field performance and consistency. James is a proponent of performance testing on athletic fields to better understand athlete surface interaction and overall field consistency. Approved for New England Pesticide License CEUs.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast

8:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Classroom Presentation - Christian Baldwin, Ph.D.

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 n Field Presentation & Testing Demos - James Lappetito

12:00 n – 1:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Field & Facility Tour

Sponsorship

Sponsorship includes recognition and one company representative. In this format representatives will have the opportunity to join fellow NE-SFMA members for a day filled with high level education, lunch, and facility and field tours.

Please note: You must be a current member (and logged in) to access Sponsorship & Supporter Opportunities.

Questions? Contact Charissa Sharkey at Csharkey@NE-SFMA.org.

New England Sports Field Management Association upcoming events

NE-SFMA Sports Field Forum (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)