Low Cost Little League FieldLow Cost Little League Field

Pro’s Choice Sportsfields ProductsPro’s Choice Sportsfields Products

Understanding How to Improve and Understanding How to Improve and Maintain a Baseball FieldMaintain a Baseball Field

Areas of a Typical Baseball FieldAreas of a Typical Baseball Field

The areas of a baseball field can be The areas of a baseball field can be organized as follows:organized as follows: Outfield grass/foul areasOutfield grass/foul areas Infield grass/soilInfield grass/soil Skinned area and base pathsSkinned area and base paths Pitcher’s mound & home base areaPitcher’s mound & home base area Warning track and fenceWarning track and fence

Areas of a Typical Baseball FieldAreas of a Typical Baseball Field

Outfield Grass and Foul AreasOutfield Grass and Foul Areas Turf and surface improvement:Turf and surface improvement:

Fertilization: 1-3 lbs nitrogen per M per yr.Fertilization: 1-3 lbs nitrogen per M per yr. Fill in the holes by hand: use local soilFill in the holes by hand: use local soil Mow the grass properly Mow the grass properly (2-3 inches)(2-3 inches) Aerify only if compacted (pocket knife test!)Aerify only if compacted (pocket knife test!) Gently roll in the springGently roll in the spring Overseed bare areas in spring and fallOverseed bare areas in spring and fall Water? Water? Be careful starting this!Be careful starting this!

Infield Grass and Foul AreasInfield Grass and Foul Areas Turf and surface improvement:Turf and surface improvement:

Fertilization: 1-3 lbs nitrogen per M per yr.Fertilization: 1-3 lbs nitrogen per M per yr. Fill in the holes by hand: use local soilFill in the holes by hand: use local soil Mow the grass properly Mow the grass properly (1-2 inches)(1-2 inches) Aerify only if compacted (pocket knife test!)Aerify only if compacted (pocket knife test!) Gently roll in the springGently roll in the spring Overseed bare areas in spring and fallOverseed bare areas in spring and fall Flatten the lip!Flatten the lip! Water if possibleWater if possible!!

Skinned Area and Base PathsSkinned Area and Base Paths

Raise the level to match infield grassRaise the level to match infield grass Grade the area flatGrade the area flat Blend in calcined clayBlend in calcined clay Roll it in the springRoll it in the spring Water it Water it (Be careful here!)(Be careful here!) Eliminate outfield lipEliminate outfield lip!!

Pitcher’s Mound & Home Plate AreaPitcher’s Mound & Home Plate Area

Add, grind and shape Add, grind and shape (hand work!)(hand work!) Add in gumbo clayAdd in gumbo clay Edge the turfEdge the turf Add water to firm and conditionAdd water to firm and condition Cover when not in useCover when not in use

Warning Track and FenceWarning Track and Fence

Kill and remove all weedsKill and remove all weeds Grade and level with the turfGrade and level with the turf Slope away from the fieldSlope away from the field

Example Project:Example Project:St. Matthew School fieldSt. Matthew School field

(Pony League)(Pony League)

Costs:Costs: SoilMaster (5 tons, delivered)SoilMaster (5 tons, delivered) 1,5001,500 Gumbo blocks (10, Pro’s Choice) 35Gumbo blocks (10, Pro’s Choice) 35 Local heavy clay delivered Local heavy clay delivered free free Local soil deliveredLocal soil delivered free free Machinery useMachinery use free free Labor Labor 4040 hours hours freefree

The infield “soil” arrives…wet!The infield “soil” arrives…wet!

Rake..dry..shovel..rake..dry..shoveRake..dry..shovel..rake..dry..shovell

The clay soil layer is flat!The clay soil layer is flat!

Base paths must be hand rakedBase paths must be hand raked

It all comes down to hand work!It all comes down to hand work!

The calcined clay arrives!The calcined clay arrives!

The calcined clay is raked into the The calcined clay is raked into the top inch (by hand)top inch (by hand)

Hand raked calcined clay!Hand raked calcined clay!