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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/126035
FieldScience | By Jim Reiner The 7 best youth baseball field maintenance tips W E ALL WANT THE YOUTH ON OUR SPORTS FIELDS to reach their fullest potential. And we all want to get the most out of what we put into maintaining our ballparks. So, we need safe and playable ball fields. Safe and playable baseball fields mean firm footing and true, consistent ball bounces. But there is a constant STRUGGLE we have to deal with in youth sports: the time and money constraints coupled with perhaps not knowing where to start or what to do. You can, however, create a ball field you can be proud of and perhaps be a hero to your community too. The solution for a better field for better play is to: • Evaluate your ballpark 22 SportsTurf | May 2013 • Create an action plan to follow • Keep your ballpark in tip top shape I am going to use three case studies to show how you can create a better baseball experience by focusing on a few lessons learned. I'll summarize these lessons into the 7 best tips for maintaining youth baseball and softball fields. DETERMINE WHAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED Use the 81 Point Checklist for Evaluating Your Ball Park (see sidebar). This checklist covers all areas of your ball park and lets you objectively identify problem areas. You can then prioritize your improvements. For many people this assessment checklist is also an excellent tool to educate and communicate issues to board members or administration staff who are part of the budget decisions. That way you and your leaders make an informed decision about the safety and playability for your young athletes. It's not just Ball Park Assessment Checklist Surface: infield dirt, base paths caps, rails, gaps, bottom Infield Dirt Playingmound, home plate, batter boxes, Fencing: posts, footings,backstop, outfield fences.of and sliding areas, the fencing, gates, protrusions, infield lips, and the warning track. sprinklers, Infield Turf Playing Surface: bare spots,thatch, ungrass edges, density and quality, irrigation, even surfaces, ruts, other vegetation besides grass. maintenance General Playing Surface: condition ofunsafe debris, equipment, sprinkler boxes, drainage, history of accidents, alterations, field to specs. and Basesbases,Anchoring: base ground stake, concrete footing, home plate, pitcher rubber, don't forget the bullpens. Spectator Areas: seating area, guard railing, walking surfaces, steps, gaps in seating, nuts & bolts protruding, other hazards sticking out. General Safety: foul lines, chalking, signage, construction areas, concessions, parking, protective equipment. Dugouts: fencing, benches, equipment, waste containers, player area. Lighting: lighting system, bulbs, utility poles. www.sportsturfonline.com