March 2014 | SportsTurf 15
www.stma.org
skin soil can be removed at a minimum of 3 inches deep. Then, the
new material can be installed at a 3-inch depth over the entire
skinned area. Now the field is graded perfectly for surface runoff.
The final grade will mirror the grade that was established in the first
step.
The companies that offer the amendments usually sell a skin soil
that is made for new installations. It could be crushed material in a
range of sizes of less than 1/8 inch to less than 3/16 inch with sand,
silt, and clay added for stability. This blend has the same qualities
and physical properties as the amended skin soil described above
with one added advantage: the blending process at the plant is per-
fectly controlled with the right amount of sand, silt, and clay.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
For new construction, use the same blend of material that was
described above for replacing the skin soil. Before installing the new
material, make sure the subgrade is a mirror of the planned finish
grade which is designed for surface runoff of water and a minimum
of 3 inches deep.
Either the amended soil or the newly installed crushed material,
with sand, silt, and clay is a great advancement in achieving the best
possible skinned area for any baseball or softball field. And best of
all, muddy conditions are alleviated. n
Jim Puhalla is the president of SportScape International, Inc.,
Boardman, OH specializing in sports field design, consulting, and con-
struction supervision, and coauthor of three sports field books.
After grading for surface runoff, 3 inches of skin soil is being removed in preparation
for the new skin material.
