Early Spring Infield Maintenance Pointers

This series of pictures shows the remedy to a "built-in" problem on a newly renovated infield.

There is a slight "crown" or higher elevation design through the middle of the infield thus creating a slight pitch to and on the base paths. The problem arose when the new sod was laid in the foul territory around the first and third baselines raising the elevation next to the base path and holding the water on the infield mix, creating puddling, a baseball coach's worst nightmare. As there was no subsurface "underdrain" under the infield we designed and installed the drainage system shown in the following pictures.

A 9"deep x 12" wide trench was excavated along all the low areas on the base paths and around the radius at home plate, fabric coated horizontal pipe was installed in the bottom of the trench. "Pea gravel " was then brought to within 3" of the infield mix. Filter fabric and 3" of compacted infield mix was then reinstalled to restore the base path to its original elevation.The new drainage system was tied into an existing perimeter U drain along the fencing.

This infield is now in play the afternoon after a full day of rain. Problem solved!

Tips for Summertime Baseball Infield Field Maintenance

Your infield may need attention. 

This look often happens when your spring baseball season is over and your infield lays unused for the summer. The lack of regular maintenance techniques like nail dragging and the drag matting every day invites crabgrass to take over even the best maintained in fields.

Ways to Fix Your Field

There are a couple of different ways to remedy this problem. 

Method 1

If you have access to a rototiller, adjust it so that the tines disturb only the top 1" of infield mix. Rototill the effected areas, hand rake out the vegetation, and then level with a home made leveling screed. (8' 4x4's screwed 3' apart and pull behind your tractor.)

If water is available, wet down the affected areas.

Method 2

The second way is to simply 'weed wack' the crabgrass right down to the mix. On our infields, the lawn maintenance crew is instructed to weekly inspect and weed wack the infield as necessary through the summer. This cuts down on the field prep for next spring.

Both ways work.

Best Field Prep Times

While we are on the subject of spring field prep, the best time to do it is in October or as soon as the fall ball season is over. That way all drainage, leveling and edging issues are taken care of before winter.

In the Philadelphia area,with the season starting the first week in March, February is no time to attempt to do this work. If you have questions or need support, don't hesitate to email or call me!

Pitcher's Mound Maintenance

Pitcher's mounds!

They need constant maintenance after every game and after every practice. The associated pictures show a 5 year old pitcher's mound professionally installed with a special hard mound clay material that lacked the daily attention that is required to maintain a firm yet giving landing area and a 2' area around the pitching rubber needed so that when your pitcher steps off to pick a baserunner he is not falling off the mound.

The landing "depression " was chipped out to accommodate the new clay brick installation. New bricks were installed and compacted.  A 1/4" of infield mix was applied.

The 2' area around the pitching rubber was restored by removing the dusty mix from the area first. Next we sprayed water to the firm sub grade area so that the new mix would bond with the existing. We then added mix and compacted in lifts with a vibratory tamper until the proper elevation and slope on the mound was attained.
 

This procedure greatly reduces the amount of maintance needed on a daily basis to keep your mound playable.

Regular Mound Maintenance

After every mound use, the dust should be bloomed out of the landing area. Then, spray the landing area lightly with water. Next add mix that looks damp with moisture content and tamp into place. This daily (or at least 2-3 times a week) procedure will keep those clay bricks intact and your mound playable.