45 Years of Experience at your Service
With over 45 years in sports field management, we understand the intricacies of grounds maintenance. In 2011, we leveraged this experience to create innovative equipment, simplifying turf and field upkeep.
Our patented pitching rubbers and home plates, cleat cleaners, ball baskets, and new patent-pending bases are trusted by many MLB, MiLB teams, universities, schools, and parks. Our products we feel enhance safety, save time, and reduce maintenance costs.
As a small, family-owned business, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service.
Meet the Kropffs
Chad Kropff, Cofounder
Chad, a seasoned professional in sports field management, boasts over three decades of industry experience. As the President and Co-Founder/Owner of Bulldog Field Equipment in Roanoke, VA, Chad, along with his wife Cathy, has been a driving force behind the business since its establishment in June 2011. Their innovative designs for pitching rubbers, double-sided home plates, and sports field maintenance tools have earned two patents, positioning Bulldog Field Equipment as a leading provider of comprehensive sports field solutions.
Chad's journey in sports field management began in 1986 with the Salem Redbirds, the Class A Texas Rangers affiliate in Salem, VA. His Florida relocation in 1990 marked the start of his tenure with the ground crew at the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos in West Palm Beach. A pivotal chapter unfolded when he joined the opening ground crew at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, FL. There, he oversaw the maintenance of 13 fields, including five Major League fields, a half field, and four softball fields.
In 2000, Chad served as the Head Groundskeeper at Anheuser-Busch Baseball City in Davenport, FL, the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals. His responsibilities included maintaining seven fields, encompassing the Stadium field, five practice fields, and a half field. Chad and Cathy's relocation to Roanoke, VA in 2002 marked a significant chapter in their lives. Chad has since held pivotal roles in Parks and Recreation Management for Roanoke City, Botetourt County, and Roanoke County, and served as the Sports Turf & Outdoor Facilities Manager at Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. His expertise spans field maintenance, irrigation, renovations, budget management, and team leadership, demonstrated through high-profile projects such as MLB events in Sydney, San Juan, and Taiwan, as well as the World Baseball Cup in Amsterdam and Italy. Chad's commitment to excellence and wealth of hands-on experience make him a respected professional with a profound understanding of field maintenance and operations.
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In 2002, we relocated back to Salem, Virginia. I have since worked in Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Botetourt County Parks and Recreation Departments, as well as Virginia Tech’s Department of Recreational Sports. I also travel with Brickman Sports to prepare fields for international baseball events such as the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico and the World Baseball Cup in Amsterdam.
For more than 30 years I’ve worked across sports, regions, and environments managing sports fields and turfs, learning from every team and season. I’ve designed and curated the products you’ll find on this site with that knowledge at the forefront of my mind.
Cathy Kropff, Cofounder
Cathy is a dynamic professional based in Roanoke, VA, with a rich background in sports management, health and wellness, and marketing. As the Vice-President and Co-Founder/Owner of Bulldog Field Equipment, a successful sports field equipment business founded in June 2011, Cathy combines her entrepreneurial spirit with academic excellence, holding a Master of Science in Education from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Cortland.
Her journey in sports management began in the minor leagues. Cathy excelled as the Director of Publications and Ticket Sales for the Norwich Navigators/Albany-Colonie Yankees, an AA-Eastern League New York Yankees' affiliate. Her diverse experiences uniquely position her as a seasoned professional with expertise in guest services, event management, and strategic planning.
Cathy met her future husband while working at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, FL, where Cathy served as the Director of Guest Services. Her pivotal role involved overseeing a diverse team and managing operational departments such as Parking, Box Office, Registration, Ticket Turnstiles, Tours, NFL Experience, Ushers, and Promotions/Interactive. Cathy's exceptional leadership skills were evident in her collaborations for events like Senior Games, Odyssey of the Mind, Golf Classic, Indy 200, AAU competitions, and Atlanta Braves’ Spring Training.
After relocating to Virginia with Chad in 2002, Cathy's expertise in marketing and communications was honed during her time as the Marketing Manager for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. She developed and implemented annual marketing plans and managed corporate sponsorships. After earning her master’s in Public Health Administration at Virginia Tech, Cathy served as the Director of Hokie Wellness at Virginia Tech. She once again showcased her leadership and strategic planning skills, managing the merger of employee and student wellness departments and developing comprehensive health and well-being plans. With a diverse skill set that includes marketing, program development, sport management, and public health, Cathy is not only a successful business owner but also a dedicated professional committed to promoting sports field management and health and wellness within the community.
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I went on to complete my Master’s of Public Health Administration at Virginia Tech in July 2010, then continued my career with the university until 2019.
As a member of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association and the College Communicators Association of Virginia and the District of Columbia, I serve as a committee member, a judge for the Creative Excellence Awards committee, and the chairperson for the National Marketing Institute.
In 2020, I retired from Virginia Tech to follow my passions and focus full-time on Bulldog Field Equipment.
In loving memory of Fester, inspiration for our company name
Fester was part of the Kropff family for over 14 years. His strength, loyalty, and caring qualities are what we have built our company on.