Marauders’ Horne Earns Top Groundskeeper Honors

Bradenton Marauders’ Jacqueline “Jake” Horne, assistant manager of field operations (Florida), received a tremendous honor this past week. Preparing for her seventh year with the organization, Horne has been selected as the 2024 Florida State League and Single-A Groundskeeper-of-the-Year.

Baseball fans who have attended Pittsburgh Pirates spring training games or regular-season Bradenton Marauders games are likely to have watched Horne at work. The playing surface at LECOM Park, the oldest stadium still used for spring training, opened in 1923, is Horne’s “baby.”

The prestigious distinction earned by Horne, originally from Bartow (FL), came about from various baseball people from around the country who have either seen the results of her work or received reports on the expert grooming of the field. Managers coming through LECOM Park also contributed to the overall feedback grading of Horne and her staff’s work.

“I had no clue that I was nominated,” Horne said this past Tuesday while taking a mid-morning break in preparing LECOM Park’s dirt and grass for the Pirates' arrival in February. “Last Thursday, my whole family; my dad, uncle, and brother, even our fertilizer representative, they all were at a luncheon we had at Pirate City’s cafeteria. That’s when the announcement was made.”

The hours are long, but the rewards outweigh any time that is taken away from aspects of Horne’s life away from the ballpark. Now, in the off-season, arriving at LECOM Park at 9 a.m., Horne’s schedule may keep her between the base paths for an eight-hour stay.

When the Pirates arrive in the spring, Horne welcomes the baseball day usually between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. After workouts, and when home games are played, it’s become routine for Horne to “turn off the lights” 12 to 13 hours later.

Horne, who attends classes remotely through Penn State University to further her understanding and expertise on turf management, takes great pride in looking over the Pirates’ and Marauders’ playing surfaces. Devoted to details and with high standards for not only herself but also the crew assigned to the field where the Pirates have been holding spring camp for what will be 57 years come this February, Horne is a visionary with a tractor and rake.

“My family are my biggest supporters,” says Horne, who will be presented with a trophy bat during a home game during the 2025 season. “10 years ago, I never thought that I would be working in baseball.”

The surprise introduction to tending to playing surfaces where many of MLB’s greatest performers showcase their talents each spring, for Horne, came after operating a landscaping business. After selling that business, through a recommendation, Horne started her new career as a game day crew member.

After her first season, Horne was asked to come aboard full-time and has worked her way up the field operations ladder. She reports directly to Andrew Burnette, the Pirates’ field operations manager for Florida and the Dominican Republic.

She appreciates the confidence shown to her by management in offering the autonomy to get the results the Pirates and Marauders require. With a staff consisting of interns during the summer, and a grounds crew roster of 8 full-timers to care for LECOM Park and Pirate City, there should be little surprise in Horne’s official recognition by the game.

“Don Kelly and Derek Shelton are always a step ahead of what’s needed,” Horne tells of the Pirates’ coach and skipper’s input of the field conditions. “They appreciate what we (grounds crew) do. The players are so nice to us, too. The fields are always in tip-top shape. Player safety is always our biggest concern.”

Although Horner has been singled out for her excellence in maintaining playing surfaces in Bradenton, she is quick to point to her co-workers as to why compliments freely flow for the top-notch grooming at both Pirates’ facilities.

With 15 home games for the Pirates this upcoming exhibition games’ season, beginning February 23 with the Minnesota Twins visiting Manatee County, followed by a Marauder's’ season starting on April 4 and running through August 31 at LECOM Park, Horne and her staff have little down time.

Horne’s recognition must be a morale boost for not only the grounds crew in Bradenton, but front office staff, as well. Recognition for one team member often brings to light the hard work of others’ dedication to bringing Marauders’ baseball front and center.