To the STMA review board - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

To the STMA review board

The following presentation is geared toward providing an understanding of the basic concepts required for infield maintenance. The presentation could be presented in a minimum time of 1.5 hours or could lend itself to a longer time frame possibly included with other presentations geared toward the municipal athletic field as in a work shop

I would anticipate audience participation including a Q & A time which could allow for a 2 hour time limit on this presentation.

I appreciate your consideration and can say that I wish a presentation like this was available when I first started in infield maintenance

In the event that this presentation is selected, I would also make myself available for other panel discussions etc. that might benefit from my view. Slide2

Considerations in Infield Design and Maintenance

Jim Hermann, CSFM

Total Control Inc.Slide3

The professional infield (the Thoroughbred)

Designed for the sprint

Designed to get through the 5th inning

Graded at ½% slope radiating out from a point, central to all the bases Constructed with 2 distinct skin layers

A base layer and a topdressing layer Covered and irrigatedSlide4

The municipal infield (the workhorse)

Single skin system

Used day in and day outAll day, every dayWorked hard and put up wet Slide5

Whether maintaining a thoroughbred or a municipal workhorse, it is the responsibility of the infield manager to develop an infield that fits his or her requirements through effective design and maintenance Slide6

Is this your infield??Slide7

Discuss the interrelationship between design, and maintenance

Investigate primary design flaws as shown through a review of the “criteria for a benchmark infield”Discuss basic infield maintenance objectives and techniqueSlide8

Water can influence an infield in 3 distinct ways

Free water Most of the water we deal with on an infield is free water or water that is controlled by gravity

As water travels down hill over an infield, it has the potential to cause erosion and carry infield material with it If free water stops moving on an infield, that’s another problem

Understanding and effectively dealing with free water is the most important objective in infield management.Control of this water is key to a quality low budget “municipal” infield

Capillary waterCapillary water is the water held in the soil after all the free water has drained off

this does not mean puddlesControl of this water is the key to a quality high end “professional” infield

This is the water that most infield amendments are designed to help control

Ground Water (also free water)

High water tableSlide9

Criteria For a Benchmark Infield

List of design guidelines intended to provide the sports field manager with a means of evaluating different infields given site specific differences and limitationsThe results of this comparison can be used to help predict potential problems or diagnose existing maintenance issuesSome criteria are the product of consideration in design

Some criteria are the product of maintenanceSlide10

Every infield should:

Maintain positive surface drainage within a range of .5 to 1.5%

slopes of less than 1% require periodic laser grading unless your really

really

good

As you go above 1% slope you begin to experience excessive erosion, increasing the potential for lip accumulation

This problem can be magnified when using a sandy infield mix or excessive amendments such as calcined claySlide11

Calculating Slope

Rise over run Rise RunChange in elevation divided by the distance

1’ change in elevation over 100’1’ ÷ 100’ = .01 or 1%Distance in feet × slope × 12” = rise or fall in inches

50’ × .01 (1%) = .5 × 12” = 6” Slide12

Surface drainage should evacuate water from the infield the shortest distance

. Slide13

Conical gradeSlide14

Level (both axis Level)

(Single Plane)

1 axis level

(Dual Plane)

Neither axis level

X

YSlide15

The dominant slope should never be parallel with the bases path. Dominant slope should be perpendicular to the base pathSlide16

Every infield should provide a home plate with a minimum crown of ¾%

Slide17

Home plate should be at the same elevation or slightly higher than 1

st

, 2

nd

, & 3

rd

baseSlide18

A 2’ wall was constructed to elevate home plateSlide19
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Slide21

Every

infield should exhibit a smooth transition into adjacent turf area

The most neglected area of infield maintenance is the lip or interface between the skin and perimeter turf. Slide22
Slide23

Fields

are

sometimes

graded on a single

plane (slope)Slide24

%

The affects of wear and improper maintenance Slide25

Be aware of critical areas of maintenanceSlide26

Consideration for the internal drainage characteristics of a root zone is important in infield design. The

less slope you have, the more critical internal drainage

or bypass drainage in the form of slit drainage becomes

in providing efficient

evacuation of free water. Slide27

Sod over with sod grown

on sandy soil or fill to top and dirty up surface, seed and mulch

4”

2 – 3” perforated pipe

ASTM C-33 silica

sand

(drainage sand)

Do not use ground limestone

12” minimum

½ % minimum slopeSlide28

Where

a high water table

or highly permeable root zone is identified, a subsurface drainage plan should be considered

Note: Not efficient for surface drainage

Note: Compatible materials do not require fabric Slide29

During the playing season

Every infield should be free of unwanted vegetationSlide30

Drag your infield every week throughout the season to minimize unwanted vegetation

More than likely you will:Negatively affect positive surface drainagePromote erosion

AlternativeIn the fallSpray with roundup

Sod cut at a shallow depthRake and remove debris Slide31

Every infield should provide crisp definition between the infield skin and turfSlide32

Every infield should be constructed with ease of maintenance as a paramount objectiveSlide33

Optional plan for 1

st

and 3

rd

base

Not to scaleSlide34

Every infield should be graded in a way that does not allow runoff from adjacent areas onto the infield skin.

The only surface water you should have to deal with on an infield is the water that falls on the infieldSlide35

Where the potential for surface water running onto the infield exists, a diversion should be included in the design Slide36

Every infield should be graded in in a way that does not allow standing water to accumulate either on the infield or in adjacent turf areas

Internal drainage is non existent (inefficient at best) in infield mix

“except” in colder climates where for a short period of time the skin can honeycomb from freeze thaw cyclesSlide37

Determine the cause before you consider the cure

Infield mix was added and this

field was regraded with a 1% crown from the pitchers

mound. A

perimeter slit drain was

also installed

to correct the problem

Skin fields are much more forgiving when it comes to grade modificationsSlide38

Every infield should provide reasonable accuracy in mandatory dimensions

Baseline and diagonal distances

Pitching distanceSlide39
Slide40

50

30

40

(60)

(80)

(100)Slide41

#10 Provide reasonable accuracy in mandatory dimensionsSlide42

Infield safety

Constructed with safety as a paramount objectiveUse of warning tracksFencing height compatible with the age of the playersStyle of bases compatible with the level of playSafe distances to obstructions off the playing areaSlide43

There is a direct relationship between safety, durability and playability Slide44
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Infield Mix

Every infield should utilize an infield mix compatible with both the level of play and level of maintenanceA quality infield mix is a mix that accurately represents the product description provided Safety and playability are not directly related to sand, silt clay ratios of an infield mixSafety and playability are not the direct result of products used but are related to how those products are used Slide47

Sand, Silt, Clay

SandThe more sand, the more your infields plays like a sandbox75 – 80% sand provides the integrity need for higher levels of playIf you anticipate blending calcined clay, lower the sand requirement to 70% +or-

Most of the sand should be medium sand or larger Fine sand starts to act like silt in a mix Blows in the wind, adds to the lip

The more sand, the less slopeSlide48

Silt

The more silt you have, the dustier a dry mix will beThe more silt you have, the gooier a wet mix will be Maximum of 8%No more than .5 – 1 silt to clay ratioI believe silt has more benefit in the moist compacted base of a professional (thoroughbred) infield Slide49

Clay

In combination with silt no more than 20 – 25%Around 16% with a .5 – 1 silt to clay ratio More if amendments such as calcined clay are consideredSlide50

Gravel

Less than 4% gravelSlide51

Amendments

Calcined clay, Diatomaceous earth, clay bricks,Whether your problems are due to improper field construction, poor quality infield mix or lack of proper maintenance, if you can’t maintain an infield effectively without amendments, you won’t be able to maintain that infield with amendmentsSlide52

Clay bricks don’t eliminate maintenance. Clay bricks can minimize maintenance when utilized correctly. The maintenance that remains becomes more critical. Slide53
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Questions??Slide56

Maintaining the Municipal Workhorse

“Wear” When and HowSlide57

I see more infield damage done every year by improper maintenance, than by no maintenance at all

The following principles and procedures are designed to help maintain positive surface drainage within the infield skinned area. Positive surface drainage is necessary for an effective infield maintenance program.

It is important to evaluate the current condition of the infield prior to implementation of these procedures to determine whether or not initial repairs are necessary to insure the effectiveness of your infield maintenance program  

Proper maintenance cannot eliminate the formation of a lip around the perimeters of your infield. You cannot eliminate rainouts.

You can however, minimize conditions that take away from the durability and playability of your infield.  It should be understood that additional procedures will be needed on a yearly basis to effectively manage the infield skinned area of your baseball/softball infield .

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Areas of concern

Pitchers areaHome plate

Base areasPerimeter turf (lip)

Raking and draggingBefore it rains

After it rainsSlide59

Mounds and Pitching Areas

 Start raking 6’ to 8’ from pitching rubberStart at the turf perimeter with pitchers mounds

Rake parallel to or away from turf, being careful to maintain smooth transition into turfRake material into any depressionsTamp as needed to create firm footing

Clay Mounds and Clay Pitching Areas 

Sweep loose material from worn areas to expose clay baseScore clay base with shovel blade or sod knife

Lightly moisten to provide “shiny” surfaceDo not over moisten to create puddlesAdd new “moist”, loose clay and tamp smooth

Cover with 1/4” loose infield mix or topdressing

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Home Plate Area

 Start raking 6’- 8’ from the plateRake toward home plate Fill holes and cut high spots

Tamp to create firm footingAfter a rain is an ideal time to fill wear areas and cut high spotsNote: In order for new material to bond to the old, the new material must be moist and the bottom layer must contain as much moisture or more moisture than the new material.

Clay batters and catchers boxes

 Repair as with clay pitcher’s areas Slide61

Base Areas

 Remove base and or rake adjacent to the base to maintain the correct elevation of the base and surrounding areaUse existing loose material to fill depressions created by runners.Do not add new material unless absolutely necessary

Give special attention to: the area between 1st base and sideline The area surrounding 2nd base The area between 3rd base and sideline

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Turf Perimeter (lip) Management

What happens on the skin, stays on the skin Never rake material toward or into the grass

Rake parallel to or away from the grass perimetersBe careful to maintain smooth transition between infield skin and grassUse a backpack blower to remove loose infield mix from adjacent turf, blowing material onto the skinned area

Alternatives to blower:High Pressure water

High pressure airPower broom

Heavy bristle push broomCaution should be exercised when brooming grass perimeters so as not to cause turf damage.

“Never”

broom grass under draught stress

Sod cut to remove excessive lip buildup

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Raking and Dragging (after hand raking is accomplished)

 Hand rake perimeters to provide a buffer area

between the infield drag and the perimeter turf Always rake parallel to or away from turf. 

Hand rake base paths where an adequate buffer area cannot be maintained 

Maintain smooth transition into the perimeter turf Vary dragging patterns

so as not create low spots 

Do not drag 4’ base paths with a 5’drag

“Always”

complete hand raking prior to dragging

the infield

 Slide64

After it Rains

 As soon as you can step on the skin without observing water or a shiny area surrounding your footprintThis is an ideal time to cut high spots and fill and tamp holes that have accumulated in hard packed dry infields.

Use this opportunity to drag your infield with a spring tine or nail drag that has the ability to scarify the infield mix 1/2” - 3/4” deep, relieve compaction and improve drying timeAfter a rain is an ideal time to reshape the pitcher’s mound by adding new material or cutting any high spots adjacent to the pitching rubber and front landing area Care should be taken to retamp wear areas such as around bases, home plate and pitching rubber as conditions permit

 Slide65

Before it rains

When rain is predicted be sure to blow or broom off perimeter turf.Rain washes in loose material making removal more difficult, increasing lip accumulation Slide66

The infield drag

Whether you use a roll up or rigid drag matDesigned to smooth a rough infield Designed to take out the footprintsDesigned to smooth an infield already on gradeNot designed to grade an infield

Should not be used in place of hand raking Slide67

The nail drag or spring tine rake

In many low budget situations, a better choice than the roll up drag, Causes less compactionMoves less materialEasier to maintain an effective grading planSlide68

Questions??