Green Fields
Date: Mar 15, 2005
Contributor: Tia Boatner
Harlingen native makes fields of green
Omar Benavides has a green thumb.
And index finger, fore finger, ring finger and pinky.
The Harlingen native started his own lawn care business over 10 years ago.
But he soon went from tending to small residential and commercial landscapes to ballparks and stadiums.
In 1994, former RGV WhiteWings general Manager Brian Borchardt hired Benavides to mow the grass at Harlingen Field.
Pleased with his work, Borchardt expanded Benavides’ duties.
"He asked me to take care of the entire field," Benavides said. "The pitcher’s mound, home plate, everything."
That’s where he earned his nickname, The Sodfather.
After Borchardt, Mark O’Brien took over as Wings GM. And it was O’Brien that christened Benavides with his new moniker.
"He just saw the way I worked with the dirt at the stadium and he started calling me Sodfather," Benavides said. "People still call me that once in a while. I like it."
Benavides – who also served as the team mascot Wild Wing for four years – has attended seminars across the state helping familiarize himself with the art of grounds keeping. He remained with the Wings until the ball club’s demise a couple of years ago.
Benavides still maintains Harlingen Field today, though. And as property of the city of Harlingen, Benavides is under contract with Harlingen for the upkeep of the dinosaur stadium.
Both Harlingen and Harlingen South play baseball at Harlingen Field.
But by the time the Wings had left town, Harlingen UIL student activities director Chipper Zamora had noticed Benavides’ work.
Zamora hired Benavides five years ago as the districts ground specialist to take care of all athletic fields in the school district.
"I love my job," said Benavides who helped at Rio Hondo High when its football stadium was built. "I enjoy working with grass and I’ve learned a lot throughout the years from the different seminars I’ve gone to. I’ve seen different fields and each field is different. I also like working with weeds."
And like most of the athletes that play on the fields Benavides spends countless hours on making look good, The Sodfather too has aspirations of reaching the big leagues.
Benavides admits that football is his favorite sport. But if given the opportunity, the baseball diamond better suits Benavides’ dreams.
Benavides received a call from the Atlanta Braves a couple of years ago to work on their grounds keeping staff.
"My dad was sick and I didn’t want to leave my mother alone with him," Benavides said.
But a friend of his with the Texas Rangers has invited him to apply numerous times.
"I love taking care of baseball fields," Benavides said.
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