SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/678624
FIELD SCIENCE area with new sod or seed. Now is also the time for one of your four edgings per year; use a string and paint to guarantee straight and true lines. Set a mowing pattern and begin to "burn" in the lines. Go with something bold and distinct but don't paint yourself into a corner by trying to imitate something from the MLB All-Star game; remember they have more guys for one fi eld than you may have for all your fi elds, parks and facilities. Make sure at least two people are comfortable and familiar mowing this pattern in case someone is pulled off for some other task. I recommend mowing yourself before or after everyone else is gone for the day. This will allow you to see every square inch of the fi eld and makes notes of any tweaks that may be necessary. Rebuild your mounds and homeplate areas. This ensures that they are done each year and that they are perfect for your tournament. Time your micronutrient fertilization program; and boost it if necessary, to provide for optimum color during the tournament. Hopefully you have your fi elds on a rotating laser- leveling program; if not try and get at least this fi eld or fi elds done shortly before hand. If the fi elds you are using are not in this year's rotation then change the rotation. You only get one chance at a fi rst impression, and you want these tournaments to return to your facility year after year. Be careful when selecting someone to laser level; use only a contractor with proper experience and equipment. This is one case where you defi nitely get what you pay for. Check and double-check your inventory. You want the tourna- ment week to be as smooth as possible with no distractions. Make sure you have ample supplies of: infi eld mix, conditioner, fi eld dry, paint, set of new and extra bases, trash bags, soap, toilet paper, irrigation supplies, etc. Be sure and review your plans with your team (user group, higher ups and crew). You need a fi rm schedule 2 weeks in advance from your user group so that you can schedule your crew properly. Don't forget to ask about extra events such as: skill challenges, opening/closing ceremonies and dinners. These are just as important as the games themselves and need to be staffed correctly. Meet with your staff to ensure that everyone is on the same page and fully understands their role for the upcoming events. Tournament week! Schedule out the entire week for all facili- ties; not just tournament fi elds, well in advance so you have no surprises this week. When scheduling your staff employ a "divide and conquer" mentality. Divide them into three equally balanced groups (AM, normal and PM). The AM crew will come in several hours before the fi rst game and is responsible for fi eld prep, trash, restrooms and irrigation. Normal crew will handle all of your regular responsibilities throughout the week at your non-tournament locations. And you PM crew will stay after games are completed to perform fi eld recovery items (mound, homeplate, irrigation, etc.) Be sure that each crew has a leader who is responsible for their team. 10 SportsTurf | June 2016 www.sportsturfonline.com Continued on page 14 Ashley Valley Community Park Baseball Complex Daily To Do List: AM - Recovery: 1. Inspection a. Check that gates are locked and locks are not missing (Report immediately if missing) b. Check dugouts for trash c. Blow out dugouts, bleachers, and walkways d. Clean any spills in bleachers or on concrete e. Wipe down tables f. Clean/stock bathrooms 2. Level Fields a. Remove and plug all bases b. Rake and fill in low spots: i. Home plate and batter's boxes ii. Pitcher's mound iii. Around all bases iv. Baselines c. Use rakes to smooth around bases d. Lightly water skinned area e. Drag skinned area i. Brush or drag mat ii. Spring tines, hard tines, or nail drag once a week f. Water heavy 3. Baselines a. Water lightly b. Hand rake length wise c. Roll d. Water heavy 4. Mound/Batter's Box a. Scrape out depression areas to properly clean b. Dampen area with water c. Insert mound clay into depression and tamp to full compaction d. Place IF mix on top of mound/batter's box e. Water lightly f. Hand rake g. Roll h. Water heavy i. Tarp 5. Lip Maintenance – rake edges 6. Turf a. Seed worn spots b. Hand water IF turf and dry spots PM – Game Prep: 1. Skinned Area a. Water lightly b. Drag c. Pull plugs and replace bases d. Water lightly 2. Baselines a. Water lightly b. Paint foul lines from batter's box to outfield turf 3. Mound / Batter's Box a. Remove tarps b. Chalk batter's box 4. Turf – Hand water IF turf and dry spots 5. Water a. Skinned areas b. Baselines c. Mound / Homeplate area 6. Gates a. Lock all service gates b. Unlock gates c. Place locks on fence above gates